Too many Scots fighting demons alone

The pressures of life are many and for some they will become all consuming. Outwardly Kirsty Oliphant appeared the definition of success.

A talented footballer, her sporting career was her absolute focus and she starred for both Dundee United and Dunfermline.

But a serious injury brought her world crashing down around her.

Her despair brought her to the point of attempting suicide, which thankfully was unsuccessful.

Months of intensive mental health therapy ensued and Kirsty is now well enough to take the brave and selfless decision to speak out in the hope of helping others.

In Fife, Jacqui McDonald also tried to take her own life after a fight against alcoholism drove a wedge between her and her daughters.

Now three years sober, Jacqui is fighting fit and has the presence of mind to be able to look back on blurred times with clarity.

Kirsty and Jacqui are a credit to themselves and their families.

Finding positives where there have only previously been negatives is an incredibly difficult thing to do.

But it is important that others who are suffering right now know that help and support is at hand and life can change and prospects improve.

Mental health and addiction has moved up the agenda in recent years and the taboos that long surrounded such subjects have been shattered.

But in such torpid times, society cannot afford for complacency to creep in. Simply looking out for one another can be enough to save lives.