A BODYBUILDER has left heartfelt messages across a notorious bridge to help others after attempting to take his own life.

Dad-of-three, Alastair Wilson, contemplated ending his life in July after suffering from "bad bouts of depression".

The 31-year-old headed to the Cartland Bridge in Lanark, Lanarkshire and said he thought: "Why shouldn't I just jump?"

Thankfully, Alistair managed to convince himself to not jump from the 39-metre high bridge.

Alastair, from Lanark, has now revisited the spot to put up messages of "love, hope and support" to try and stop anyone else thinking of suicide.

Alastair, who works for a leisure centre and has suffered from depression since he was 18-years-old, said: "I stood there waiting for someone to stop me from doing it.

"Somehow, I didn't jump and I ended up just leaving.

"But I then heard that someone else who got there 10 minutes after me had taken their own life.

"I hate to say it, but I am suicidal but I really don't want to die.

"I just feel really low at times and, without the right support, or even a doctor cancelling my appointment, it would make me feel as if I am not good enough to get treatment.

"I was just at a place in my life where I thought negatively about everything."

But, once Alastair left the bridge, he came up with the creative idea to design kind messages which he believes would have helped him had he seen them on the bridge.

Alastair constructed 20 signs with numbers for Breathing Space, an organisation run by NHS 24 which provides help to people with mental health issues.

He explained: "I managed to make 20 little cards and cover 20 of them with a range of subjects. I got them all laminated and spread them all over the bridge.

"They all have a number for Breathing Space on them.

"I just felt like it was a good idea because if I can save one person from doing it then I guess I would have done the right thing.

"I think if I had seen that I would have been put into a more positive mind frame.

"The messages are really good, and Breathing Space have this app that can help you when you are having those negative thoughts.

"It sets you your daily tasks and it puts you in a positive mind frame."

Since putting up the signs on Facebook, it has been shared hundreds of times.

Alastair said: "I've received so many messages of encouragement and support.

"I want to reduce the high statistics that have been put out there regarding people that have committed suicide.

"I'm now focussing on being a great dad to my children, I love being in their life."

Alastair's project has been supported by the Brothers in Arms charity, which helps men with mental health issues, who said it was a "great idea".

If you or someone you know is having a difficult time, please don’t suffer alone. Visit this helpful NHS site for information on available help, or head to the Heads Together site for more useful information.