Suicides and suspected suicides on the national rail network increased by 10% last year, according to figures released to coincide with a new, five-year Samaritans campaign to reduce male suicide across the UK.

Launched today, the Men on the Ropes campaign specifically targets working-class men in their 30s to 50s, the group most likely of all men to die by suicide.

"Our research into this target group found that men from poorer backgrounds, those who are unemployed or in manual jobs and those who have experienced difficult times such as financial worries or breakdowns in their family relationships were more likely to take their own lives," said Rachel Kirby-Rider of the Samaritans.

Around 6,000 people in the UK take their own lives every year, three-quarters of whom are men. Of these, the most likely to die by suicide are aged 25 to 55.

According to figures released by Network Rail, the Am.

Welsh International rugby union referee Nigel Owens, of Pontyberem, who attempted to take his own life, is supporting the campaign.

"Men from my town would just get on with things, you weren't even aware men had problems. My depression started because I didn't like who I was and I was too ashamed to talk to anyone," he said. "I let these feelings build up and up, and before I knew it I couldn't see a reason to live any more, which is why I tried to take my own life.

"Looking back there were people I could have and should have turned to. I think that if I had been able to talk to someone that day, I might not have attempted suicide. Today, I can't even find the words to explain how thankful I am that I am still here," he added. "That's why this campaign is so important; because it has the power to make men aware help is available and that they should use it."

Network Rail has pledged to reduce railway suicides by 20%. The company is backing The Samaritans by donating advertising space for the campaign in railway stations across Great Britain.

The Samaritans commissioned research in Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Romford and Solihull, and spoke in detail to a sample group of men about their lives and the daily challenges they face.

"We found that this group of men do not habitually discuss their emotions in public and certainly not with their friends," said Kirby-Rider. "They openly acknowledged that there was a sense in their neighbourhood that a man talking about his problems would be seen as 'weak'."

Many of the men the Samaritans spoke to admitted to having long-term depression as a result of extended periods of unemployment, family breakdown, drug and gambling problems and a sense that things would not get any better.

Many men, added Kirby-Rider, described themselves as leading "emasculated" lives: unable to find work, dependent on their partner's income, and "reduced" to being a househusband.

"Over their lives, most have had experience of being regularly laid-off and of frequently changing jobs and employer," she added.

The Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day on 08457 90 90 90.