'MEN need to know that it's okay for them to talk to someone."

Those are the words of Louise Verden, who is urging men to talk about their feelings after her son, Tim Aldridge, took his own life in February aged 40.

At an inquest in Taunton on Wednesday (May 15) senior coroner, Tony Williams, revealed Tim was found dead in a shed in St Patrick's Road in Taunton on February 3.

A post mortem report revealed Tim's cause of death was hanging and he was three times over drink drive limit at the time of his death.

Following his death Louise said she wants to reduce the stigma around men talking about their mental health and wants more men to voice their concerns before it is too late.

She said: "Men need to know that it is okay for them to talk and that they should not bottle things up if they are bothering them.

"Tim worked a lot and spent as much time as he could with his two sons but he struggled with depression due to bad relationships with previous partners.

"He promised me that he would never do anything to hurt himself and that he would talk to me if he ever felt low.

"My husband, Ian, saw Tim the day before he died, as they met up for coffee.

"Ian said he seemed fine, that there was nothing wrong but it is obvious now that something was going on that he was not telling us.

"I think there is a huge stigma around men talking about their mental health because of years of men hearing the same stuff.

"Men have always been told to 'man up' and have got into the habit of burying their feelings as a result. I think more men need to talk about their feelings so this doesn't keep on happening.

"Male suicide rates have gone up a lot in the last few years and I think it all stems from men not feeling like they can talk about their mental health. This needs to change, men need to talk."

Following the inquest, Louise paid tribute to Tim and described him as a 'kind hearted man who would help anyone.'

She said: "Tim was so loved by his family and friends but hid things so well and never asked for help always full of smiles and banter.

Tim worked very hard and loved his sons. But now our lives go on with out him but will never be the same.

"The damage caused will never be fixed. We will always remember Tim and carry the pain and heartache that was passed on to us, it's broke our hearts."