A musician who's spent large parts of his life working in the touring music industry said there needs to be more support for men's mental health in Liverpool.
Jeff Skellon has worked in the music industry on merchandise stalls since 1987 and has spent large parts of his life on the road touring around the world.
But the 61-year-old from Mossley Hill said over the years a number of his friends have taken their own lives after coming back from tour.
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Jeff said "it's not a unique situation" to the music industry - but more a wider representation of mental health provision in general.
He told the ECHO : "I have worked in the touring music industry for many years.
" Over that time I have lost a lot of friends and colleagues to suicide.
"You’d never know when they were on tour - when they were often the 'life and soul’ - that they had any problems in their life.
"Every one of them has surprised me."
Jeff said luckily he has never had personal struggles with his own mental health - but hearing about how so many friends and colleagues had taken their own lives made him question why.
Jeff said: "When you notice other people who seem so well adjusted have actually taken their own lives and you didn't notice it makes you wonder if you have some underlying problems.
"I've often asked myself if I have a problem that needs addressing but I've been lucky to have the support of my family when I've been working away.
"I think family issues and trying to juggle the work/family balance when on the road can be the big issue.
"You've got to wonder what brings people to that point - and I'm not saying it's a unique situation to my industry.
"It just drew my attention because that's my walk of life.
"I've worked with thousands of people and only a few have sadly taken their life.
"It's not a high percentage, but it's higher than it should be."
Jeff said life on the road is hard, gruelling work, so the chance to speak openly about your problems sometimes isn't available.
The pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding work and the government's grant system has also presented another issue that has affected many across the music industry.
He said: "You don't always hear the reasons why - and it can sometimes be seen as a weird thing to talk about their problems.
"But if someone does take their own life, there's a taboo about talking about why they did it which I find really disconcerting.
"If we can talk about these things in the open maybe we can avoid letting it get to that situation."
Jeff said he wanted to do what he could to start supporting men's mental health services in Liverpool - but was surprised to find them lacking.
He said he wanted to start fundraising for a men's mental health charity three years ago but was told they were closing down because of the lack of support.
Jeff called this "ironic" - but he soon came into contact with James' Place and arranged a fundraiser with his previous band which raised £1,300.
James' Place is a service that exists to save the lives of men in a crisis - and has helped 500 men since the service started in 2018.
Because of the success of the previous fundraiser, Jeff and his band The Ruby Tears will be performing a second gig to once again raise money for the men's charity.
He said: "Having centres like James’ Place helps reduce the amount of lost lives.
"What we raised is probably not even a drop in the ocean - but if we can even help just one life then it's important.
"We've just tried to do our little bit to help."
Jeff and The Ruby Tears will be playing at Leaf on Bold Street on March 4.
You can also donate to Jeff's fundraiser here.
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