Vital to keep lines of communication open

There are few closer bonds than that of twins.

But neither Finlay Wilson nor his brother Alastair had any idea the other was suffering. Privately the 30-year-olds were fighting mental health problems that brought them to the point of suicide.

Fortunately, their attempts to take their own lives were unsuccessful and by opening up to one another they found the solace and support they needed to push back towards health.

Interestingly, for two brothers with such a close bond, their mental health stories are completely different.

Finlay, who achieved fame as Scotland’s Kilted Yoga star, found himself turning to drink and tablets while continuing to function as normally as possible.

Alastair, by contrast, began to shut away from his regular life and stopped exercising. By opening up about their mental health struggles, the brothers are now hoping to help others who are also suffering.

And, sadly, that is a considerable group of people in Scotland today. Mental ill health has no boundaries.

It affects people in all walks of life, in myriad ways and can strike at any time.

But what is undeniable is that for a person in crisis, having open lines of communication available to them is vital.

Mental health has moved up the political agenda in recent years but there is still a long journey ahead to break down the many social barriers that can be so isolating for so many.