Friend of Leeds DJ who took his own life in plea for men to seek help on World Suicide Prevention Day

Mr O'Brady - whose real name was Steve Pinder - was 26 when he took his own life at his home in Morley in 2008.

Mr Cooke, who said there was no indication that Mr Pinder was experiencing problems, is urging people suffering mental health issues not to bottle up their emotions and speak to someone about how they are feeling.

Mr Cooke, 33, spoke out to mark World Suicide Prevention Day today (September 10) as the latest figures reveal a marked increase in the number of deaths by suicide in Leeds.

Newly released Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures for Leeds show there were 110 deaths by suicide in Leeds in 2019, an increase of 37.5 per cent on the 80 deaths in 2018, which was up from 71 deaths in 2017.

The ONS rates show an increase in Leeds from 10.9 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people in 2016 to 2018 to 12.7 per 100,000 in 2017 to 2019.

The suicide rate in Yorkshire and Humber is recorded at 12.0 per 100,000 people.

World Suicide Prevention Day: Here's who you can contact if you are struggling

Mr Cooke said he first met Mr Pinder - who used the stage name O'Brady when DJing - at Stinky's Peephouse Club in Leeds in the early 2000s and the two men travelled to raves across the UK.

Father-of-two Mr Cooke, of East Ardsley, said: "We became really close. We both shared the same values and interests and we were both into the same music.

"He was outgoing and absolutely the centre of attention, but he was also really genuine at the same time. He was just a proper nice Leeds bloke."

Mr Cooke said he hadn't spoken to Mr Pinder for a couple of weeks when a friend called to say he had taken his own life.

He said: "I was devastated. I still blame myself for not being in touch with him as often as I probably should have been.

"I didn't have any concerns about him, but I never asked him if he was OK.

"There were no signs whatsoever. He was successful in his DJing and I just thought he was enjoying his lifestyle.

"Because of what happened it has made me support my friends so much more.

"I relentlessly ask them if they are OK, because I don't want it to happen again."

Mr Cooke urged people struggling with mental health problems to seek help, adding: "Don't be scared to ask anyone in your friendship group for help."

Last September, Leeds City Council released a report on suicides in Leeds which revealed that five times more men than women took their own lives in the city for the second three-year period in a row.

Of the 205 Leeds residents who took their own lives between 2014 and 2016, a total of 171 (83 per cent) were male, compared to 34 female.

Mr Cooke said: "I don't know with blokes if it's something macho as to why they feel they can't talk to anybody.

"I feel that blokes bottle up their problems and should take support from people that are close to them.

"I just wish he had spoken to me and then I could have helped and supported him."

Mr Pinder, who DJ'd at clubs across Leeds and the UK, was a former soldier, who served in Germany, Croatia and Bosnia.

He performed at the Hard Dance Awards 2006 in London after winning the prestigious 4Clubbers DJ competition..

Mr Cooke supports men's mental health charity Movember and last year raised more than £1,000 for the charity.

Brendan Maher, Movember's global director of mental health and suicide prevention said: “Tools such as Movember Conversations provide very practical guidance on how to support those in your life who might be struggling.

"Sometimes we don’t know where to start, or what to say if someone says they’re not OK. And whilst we know these conversations may be difficult, having them can save lives.”

Leeds City Council chiefs have have plegded to continue working with their partners to reduce suicide rates in Leeds.

They say that despite the wealth of ongoing suicide prevention work and research being undertaken across the city, they cannot pinpoint any single reason for the increase in suicide-related deaths due to the complexity of suicide.

The rise may be connected to a recent law change, which makes it easier for coroners to conclude suicide as a cause of death.

Samaritans and others, including the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) and Papyrus, wanted the change as they believe it could give a more accurate picture of who is taking their own life and prevent future deaths.

Coun Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adults, health and wellbeing, said: “Reducing suicide, attempted suicide and self-harm across Leeds is an absolute priority for the council, and we are committed to funding new and innovative ways to support individuals from higher-risk groups to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

"We also know that certain areas of the city experience higher numbers of suicide and self-harm than others, and our ongoing funding is an excellent opportunity to connect with and make a difference in communities where it is most needed.

“Working closely with local health partners, individuals and their loved ones, we can focus our local community engagement to build a better understanding of this important issue and work towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, which we hope will make a real difference citywide.”

Dr Gwyn Elias, GP and NHS Leeds clinical commissioning group mental health clinical lead, said: " We need to destigmatise mental health so that men in particular feel comfortable talking about how they are feeling.

"This issue is worth highlighting even more so at the moment due to the impact that coronavirus has had.

“As a GP, I urge anyone feeling distressed, overwhelmed or alone to speak to someone about how you feel.

"I want people to know that we are here to listen and we are still available during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Anyone registered with a Leeds GP can call the new mental health helpline on 0800 183 0558. The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don’t suffer in silence.”

Kate Goldring, business development director at Leeds Mind, said: "“It’s heart-breaking to see this number of preventable deaths in our region and we hope that this World Suicide Prevention Day, people feel empowered to talk about the subject of suicide and mental health."

Anyone wanting advice can contact:

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Leeds Mind: 0113 305 5800

Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service: 0113 260 9328.

Details of many services which can help are on a free poster available to download at www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/CrisisCard.pdf

Anyone whose life is in immediate danger should call 999.