FROM burlesque to barbers - a unique new event is urging men to talk about their mental health.

Organised by Glasgow-based dominatrix Megara Furie and the team at South Side venue the Ice Box, led by Jamie McDermid, The Big Talk aims to address the male suicide rate in Scotland.

Suicide is a subject close to both Jamie and Megara's hearts as between them they have lost close friends, a partner and know countless others who have had some very close calls.

Megara said: "Both anxiety and depression are often talked about in the media, and on memes shared across social media platforms, but with mental health and addiction services in crisis and an ever growing waiting time to see a professional, we feel that this is simply not enough.

"The fact is that men are the least likely group to talk about how they are feeling, or to reach out for help, for many reasons.

"The Big Talk event provides the space and the guidance to get the ball rolling for them to start having their own Big Talks."

The Big Talk will feature talks from various men who have had their own struggles with mental health and brushes with suicide, how they dealt with this and what they do today to stay well.

Guest speakers include Graham Wilson of grahamwilsonundrunk.com and patron of Back Onside, who plans to talk about his drinking days and what his life was like during them.

He said: "Basically the reason I was drinking was because my mental health was gubbed.

"I [will be] talking about how I continue to beat booze and how I try to stay on top of my mental health."

Andy Graydon of AG Fitness will be speaking on the day about body image.

He said: "Body image is something I've struggled with for years and I feel like it's spoken about a lot with women but never really with men."

Scott Craig of DC Fitness chats on how he swapped alcohol for iron man competitions to pull himself back from the brink of suicide.

A spokesman for Bad Guy Brand, men's barbers, said: "After 15 years of working in the hair and barbering industry I feel pretty well versed in talking about mental health.

"The barbershop and salon is often regarded as a place where people can freely open up and talk about any issues they have in confidence.

"Our job is often considered just making people look good but it's more about making them feel good, or at least feel a bit better.

"I'll talk about dealing with my own mental health, how helping others helped me and how my brand's identity helped me process my own anxiety and channel it into a more motivated mindset."

Mark Edgar, a counsellor for Drink Wise Age Well, will be talking about the signs of suicidal thoughts, how to ask someone if they are suicidal and, crucially, what to do if they say yes.

Serious talks will be broken up with comedy, burlesque from Dinah Dare, food and a band.

There will also be a raffle with prizes up for grabs, such as a full VIP day out at the football with Graham Wilson including lunch, drinks and meet the manager; a PT session with Scott Craig of DC fitness; and more to be announced. All proceeds will go to a men's mental health charity to be decided.

Award winning restaurant Charcoals on Renfield Street, known for their work feeding the homeless community, will be providing food on the day.

From 3pm on Sunday, December 8. Tickets are £6.

Further announcements of acts and speakers will be on the event page - bit.ly/BigTalkMentalHealth