A FILM highlighting the issue of male suicide will be shown in a County Durham market town next week.

In the run up to Mental Health Awareness Week which is held from May 13 to 19, ManHealth and The Witham, in Barnard Castle, are screening Evelyn (12A).

Evelyn is a deeply personal film telling the story of how a family survives the unthinkable. Fourteen years after the suicide of their son and brother, Evelyn, the family decide to walk the length of the UK and try to talk about him. The poetic feature documentary explores the fabric of grief and the longevity of love. Part quest film, part road-trip, part memoir, the film is "an exposition of the taboos of mental health and male emotion".

The North-East has the highest suicide rate in the UK and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35. ManHealth run male-only peer support groups around the North-East for men who are struggling with mental ill health.

Founder Paul Bannister said: “If we can get to these men who are feeling isolated and alone and encourage them to talk to someone, many irreversible human tragedies could be avoided.

“I want the men from this region who are struggling with thoughts of suicide or despair to come forward and feel there is a safe and confidential environment where they can talk and be listened too and feel their issues will be relatable to the person or people listening."

The film will be shown on May 2 at The Witham, at 7pm. Tickets cost £5.