A journalist who attempted suicide as a teenager has revealed how landing his “dream job” with a regional daily has helped his mental health recovery.

Edinburgh Evening News community reporter Jacob Farr has opened up on his past struggles in a bid to help others going through similar experiences.

Jacob has become the latest regional journalist to publicly discuss mental health issues in a piece for the Edinburgh Evening News on World Suicide Prevention Day, which was marked yesterday.

He described how he was “stuck in a monotonous existence” before becoming a journalist, while he was working in a financial call centre.

Jacob, pictured, wrote: “It’s fair to say I had given up on life, I felt there was no purpose or meaning, and that I ultimately had nothing to offer the world.

“The feeling was the same when it came to friends and family, one of being a burden and a struggle they could be relieved of if I would just take the final plunge.

“I won’t go into the details of the various schemes concocted to end my life, but instead I’d like to speak about how those days are in the rear view mirror and what led to me getting here.

“My childhood was at times traumatic but it was as a whole, relatively happy. It was not until I became a teenager that I began to fall into the darkness.

“From 17-25 I struggled, having attempted to take my own life as a teen.”

But Jacob went on to explain how his life and “turned around gradually” since 2016 with the support of his partner, who encouraged him to seek professional help.

He added: “I began writing a lot, becoming infatuated with current affairs and developing my own website.

“The pet project led to me securing a dream job with the Evening News, a paper I grew up reading.”

Jacob concluded: “To anyone out there in a similar position, please do not give up, no matter how dark it may seem at the time, open up to those around you and seek help.

“The bravest thing anyone can do in this toxic masculine world is say ‘Hey, I need some help.'”

Speaking to HTFP, Jacob thanked the EEN’s readership and fellow colleagues for their “extremely supportive” reaction to the piece.

He said: “In Scotland we have a real issue with talking about suicide and depression – especially if you are male.

“I just hope that my story will reach others who are struggling and will give them a bit of hope that tomorrow will be better.

“Everyone has their own path and what will work for them is different.

“But if just one person can take a positive step or seek help after reading about my story then that is all you can ask for.”