TO mark International Men’s Day, a host of events have been taking place across Bury to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

On average, there are 18 suicides in Bury every year — more than three-quarters of them men. One of the joint strategies across the borough for tackling suicide is to prioritise reducing the risk in men.

Several events have taken place this week, the first on Saturday when Bury Rugby Union FC’s second team wore Samaritans t-shirts for their warm-up before going up against Broughton in the Halbro North West Leagues — Division 5 East — to help raise awareness.

Visitors are turning out to Ground Up Coffee Shop in Market Street today — International Men’s Day — to celebrate the contribution of men to society.

Live music, coffee and cake will be available at Wax and Beans vinyl record shop from 11am on Sunday.

Chris Mills, director of Bury Samaritans, said: “We really want to celebrate the important contribution men make to society and to raise awareness of men’s mental health and of our services.”

Samaritans works to make sure that there is always someone there for anyone who needs someone.