The last time Scott Milne stood over the cliffs along the coast from Aberdeen he was in a “bad, bad place” and only thoughts of his young daughter made him step away from the edge.
He has since spent more than a decade avoiding the spot overlooking Cove Bay – which he describes as the “darkest place” in his life.
But he is now preparing to overcome his anxiety to help others with mental health problems, even though a recent trip to the area to plan the event “made him feel sick”.
The 40-year-old has organised an abseil at the spot in aid of Mental Health Aberdeen.
Mr Milne said: “There were some family issues and bottled up emotions that led to the final decision to end things.
“I had been at the bar all day thinking about what to do, then I phoned a taxi to take me to the cliffs.”
Mr Milne stood staring at the waves for close to two hours, but was saved by one very important thing.
He said: “My daughter, Aimee, was just one at the time.
“Although at that point I didn’t get the chance to see her as often as I’d liked, she still drew me back from the edge.
“I knew she was one thing worth living for – and that I couldn’t leave her.”
Upon returning from the cliffs, Mr Milne made a visit his doctor and was prescribed anti-depressants.
Since then, he has worked tirelessly to turn his life around, with the help of Mental Health Aberdeen.
He said the abseil, which he will undertake along with 12 friends and supporters from the Adventure Aberdeen outdoor activity group, will be “very surreal”.
“I’m not scared about the abseil – I used to be in the infantry so heights don’t faze me – but the location will be the real challenge”, he said.
Mr Milne, who works as a plant operator, hopes that more men will be encouraged to speak about their mental health as a result of his fundraiser.
He said: “Since I shared my story more male friends have come to me to talk – and I’ve been able to put them in touch with Mental Health Aberdeen.
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“That’s really the best first step you can take – talking. It can save lives.
“My problem 11 years ago was that I had bottled everything up.
“Now I’ve come out the other side – living with my loving partner, two great wee boys and two German Shepherds – and I’m the best I’ve ever been mentally and am ready to give back.”
Mr Milne has raised more than £1,370 for Mental Health Aberdeen already, with the abseil taking place on Saturday, June 29.
