HOTLINE TO SAVE BOYS HIT BY GIRL POWER

Girl power is driving young men to despair - and even suicide - when they are unable to live up to TV images of the ideal man.

The Government is so concerned about the plight of 15- to 24-year- olds that a helpline is being launched tomorrow by Health Minister Paul Boateng.

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably - will be publicised through beer mats and posters in pubs which will urge "victims" to talk to friends about their problems or to qualified counsellors who will be at the end of the phone.

It will start in Manchester and Scotland and if it is a success it will be extended throughout the country.

A senior Whitehall source said that young men have problems with living up to their own ideals, often set by TV role models.

He added: "They feel that they are under-achieving if they are not pop stars or footballers or thrusting young executives. The girls also expect them to be successes and if they are not they don't want to know.

"And there is also the problem of the new breed of successful women - Girl Power and the Spice Girls - who agressively flaunt their achievements."

Suicide accounts for one in five of the deaths of young men - second only to road accidents.

In 1996 there were 280 suicides among men aged 15-24 compared with five from AIDS, 173 from cancer, 10 from heart disease and 84 from drugs abuse. Suicide is three times more common among men than women.

Mr Boateng said last night: "Suicide statistics bear out the sad truth that young men are at the greatest risk of being depressed and killing themselves.

"We need to look around us for people to give us help and support. The message is 'Look out for your mates'.

"It is a tragedy that young people, who should have so much hope, suffer such despair. Studying, finding work, coping with life, are all tough to deal with.

"What everyone should remember is that there is never no-one to talk to - death is not the solution. If you are feeling low, release the pressure, talk to friends, a GP, a nurse - or ring the helpline."

The helpline will be open between 5pm and 8am on 0800 58 58 58.

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