We're expected to be full of festive cheer at Christmas, but a new survey has found that nearly half of men feel depressed or sad at this time of year.
An online poll by the Samartians found that 48 per cent of men said they feel low in December with 45 per cent saying their worries were the most troubling during the festive period compared to any other time of the year.
Around 37 per cent said they feel lonely, and 30 per cent say they are stressed and anxious due to relationship and financial difficulties.
Speaking to the Independent Nigel, a Samaritans volunteer, said the charity was already starting to take calls frompeople feeling under pressure in the run up to Christmas.
He said: 'Christmas can be a poignant time, bringing issues people face all year round to the surface, and can leave those normally strong enough to cope, struggling to do so.
'I listen to people telling me that they're alone, or that they've recently lost their partner, or that they're in huge amounts of debt.
'And it's even harder to deal with because it's Christmas, and the expectation that everyone is having a good time. It's so important that we're able to help these people through the festive season.'
If your partner is struggling to cope with depression, our article on supporting a partner with depression will give you some tips on how to help them during this difficult time. Don't forget to take care of yourself too, read out tips on how to look after your own needs when you have a partner with depression.
Samaritans support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on