A man who attempted to take his own life five times has spoken out about mental health in a bid to stop others “suffering in silence.”

James Parkinson, 24, said he hit “rock bottom” just before Christmas and turned to the Samaritans for help.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Week fell between Monday, May 8 to Sunday, May 14.

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Mr Parkinson, a former Pent Valley pupil, lost his mother to suicide when he was 11.

The Tesco worker said he has been through counselling for more than a decade, but has only recently “turned it around” by turning negative thoughts into positive.

The Hythe resident said: “I have turned it around the last month or so.

“I have tried to kill myself five times and the last time was the last straw, that’s when I thought it was time to turn it around.

“I took on board what has happened and used every negative aspect to motivate myself and drive who I am supposed to be.

“My dad and step mother have been really supportive through this, I do have a good support network.”

Mr Parkinson’s advice to others going through a similar experiences was to get counselling and try exercise, which he said was a “anti-depressant” in itself.

“Rome wasn’t build in a day,” he added.

“It isn’t going to come to you straight away, and it does take the right counsellor to understand.”

'It isn’t going to come to you straight away, and it does take the right counsellor to understand.' - James Parkinson

Mr Parkinson’s top tip was for people to jot down how they are feeling, something he has done and turned into lyrics.

Today (Saturday, May 13), is his mother’s birthday, which is one of the reasons the singer decided to speak up about his past now.

“I have always been open about who I am and what has happened,” he added.

“But now is the right time to speak about it.

“Quite a lot of men don’t speak about suicide, they seem to not want to because of pride.

“The amount of hell I went through with mental health and trying to get the right help was ridiculous, a lot of people are suffering in silence.”

Samaritans can be reached on free call number 116 123 at any time or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.