Cambuslang dad shed four stone and saved life after discovering boxing

David Hamilton, from Cambuslang, tried to take his own life after suffering an extreme mental health crisis during lockdown.

The 39-year-old felt like a “burden” as he was struggling with money worries, the breakdown of his marriage, alcohol abuse, and lack of self-care.

He decided something had to change in a desperate bid to change his life and attended Bravehearts Boxing Gym in Hamilton.

David credits the sport for “saving his life” as it lets him “balance” his mental health and “focus” his mind.

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He told the Glasgow Times: “I had a mental health breakdown and just felt like a burden and like there was no getting better.

“I was missing for hours, no one knew where I was, and I just sat crying and thinking about ending things.

“Looking back now I realise I didn’t actually want to die, I just didn’t want to keep living this life.

“I had been drinking too much, my diet was a mess, and I just wasn't looking after myself at all.

“Things are so different for me now, getting into boxing saved my life. It really helps me balance my mental health and focus my mind.

“I have lost about four stone now and I feel like I have a lot less anxiety.”

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Just under three quarters of all suicides in Scotland are male. Almost half (46%) were aged 35-54, according to the Scottish Government.

People living in Scotland’s most deprived areas remain more than three times more likely to die by suicide than those living in the least deprived areas.

Recent figures published in August 2022 showed 753 deaths by suicide were recorded in 2012 which is the lowest level since 2017.

However, there was an increase here between men aged 65-84 and people aged between 25-34.

David is now trying to raise awareness to remind others that suicide is preventable.

He believes talking about your problems can save lives, but when he was at his lowest felt unable to reach out to friends.

The dad-of-one is encouraging other men to help remove the stigma so less lives are lost.

He told the Glasgow Times: “To be honest I had been ill for some time, I was so stressed and just kept making bad decisions.

“I had anxiety since I was really young, but I never talked about it or asked for help, I think that made it much worse.

“I would never have gone down the pub and told my pals how bad things were and I think a lot of guys are the same.

“Being a man, it does make it harder to open up about your feelings, but it shouldn’t be like that we need to change something.

“Talking it out helps so much though, as soon as you say it there's a massive weight lifted off you and things start to get better.

“I really want to raise awareness, so people start being honest about how they feel and seek help because it saves lives.”

David finally got some “relief” after working out which helped him tackle other problems in his life.

He is now urging others to get involved in boxing and other sports that will give them the same outlet he got from joining Bravehearts Boxing Gym.

He said: “People think of boxing as a really violent and aggressive sport, but it can be more than that, it is great stress relief and is good for all ages.

“I got a real relief from hitting the bag after years of built-up tension, it was like an escape.

“Now I am there six days a week and it really keeps my mind occupied.

“Anyone who is feeling lost or struggling should give it a try, it might change your life like mine.”

David is now taking on a major challenge that will see him run 100 miles in just 24 hours to raise awareness for mental health at the end of March.

You can donate to his challenge here.

Suicide is preventable by seeking help and support for whatever you are going through.

You can reach out to the Samaritans for free any time on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men is available to help on 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight everyday.

You can also text Shout to 85258 for 24-hour support in a crisis.