Lou Macari: Backing the campaign

Jonathan, 19, was found hanged from a tree after he turned to drugs when his own football career failed.

Mr Macari, 52, currently manager of Huddersfield FC, said the unit's counsellors had already managed to reduce the number of young people using alcohol or drugs to ease their distress.

He now hopes the centre will allow them to do more good work.

Death rates

Mr Macari said: "Scotland, I believe, has one of the highest suicide rates in the country(UK).

"And obviously, having experienced it myself I realise what affects it has on those left behind.

"Sometimes it can be avoided, and with the help of Facilitate, if they can do that with even one person, then it's a plus."

Many of the people who contact Facilitate Scotland are suffering from bullying or debt problems.

The organisation's volunteers have had up to 500 hours special training to deal with the tough task.

Vulnerability

In October last year, an Edinburgh University report revealed that suicide rates among young Scottish men were double those in England.

It also said men aged between 15 and 24 were six times more likely to take their own lives than women.

In the last 30 years, the number of males aged between 25 and 34 who have taken their lives has leapt by 245%.

Facilitate Scotland's George Hunter said: "We are all vulnerable and anything can trigger off the thought of suicide.

"All it takes is for that thought to get out of hand and for the person to feel that there is no other option for them but to commit suicide."

And a spokeswoman for the Samaritans said people with suicidal feelings could also ring its telephone helpline 24 hours a day, where experienced counsellors are on hand.