Barnsley man opens up on how money worries & alcohol abuse led him to his 'lowest point'
Simon Mayo has been speaking to us as part of mental health awareness week
A South Yorkshire man tells us a combination of money worries & alcohol abuse led to his mental health 'spiralling' out of control.
Simon Mayo from Barnsley reached his lowest point around four years ago before he decided to get help.
The 49-year-old now works for the suicide prevention charity Andy's Man Club across South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire:
"It got to the stage where I'd pick a case of beer up for no reason at all.
"Then afterwards, I'd wonder why I was so skint, but I was trapped in a vicious cycle with it.
"I was going overdrawn and struggling financially.
"I was asking my mum for money too, which made me feel even worse.
"This was me spiralling out of control, but I didn't even realise it.
"I ended up feeling incredibly numb, and I'd drink more to escape this.
"The only way to feel better is to talk to somebody.
"Whether it's a stranger or your loved ones, it'll help you to start feeling that bit better."
It's as new figures out today show that nearly 60 per cent of middle-aged men admit to using alcohol as a 'coping mechanism'.