Stopping Male Suicide – BBC2

Xand Van Tulleken investigates why suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, and explores the reasons why people develop suicidal thoughts

More men under the age of 50 in the UK are likely to commit suicide than be killed by cancer or in a car accident.

That statistic has shocked Dr Xand van Tulleken, who, at 39, is in this high-risk category.

In this Horizon special, he wants to find out why people have suicidal thoughts and if there is anything we can do about it.

He meets people who have had experience of suicide, either through failed attempts or by losing loved ones.

Along the way, he taps into his medical know-how to talk to scientists and researchers in the US who are at the cutting edge of suicide prevention.

He also joins the RNLI as they respond to calls alerting them to suicide attempts.

TV Times rating: ****