Young men are a vulnerable group

An advertising campaign, which will include promotional beer mats as well as posters and radio adverts, is to be trialled in the Glasgow area.

According to statistics Scottish men and women are more likely to commit suicide linked to depression than people living south of the border.

More than 670 men committed suicide in Scotland in 2000, a figure which has risen by 250% in the past 20 years.

The number of men consulting their GPs about depression has risen by a third in the past five years to 45,000 annually.

The executive said the confidential helpline is designed to offer support at an earlier stage than other independent helpline services.

'Shocking and tragic'

It is expected to eventually become part of the NHS 24 advice service, which will be launched in the north-east of Scotland later this year.

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said: "The level of suicide and depression among young men in Scotland is both shocking and tragic.

"The reasons why so many young men feel the need to harm themselves are complex.

"That's why we need a broad range of support services to help young people before their mental health problems get out of control."