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Bath Rugby stars take to Twitter to raise male suicide awareness

If you're a user of social media you may have noticed this week that several Bath Rugby stars, past and present, have taken to Twitter to post images of themselves gesturing the 'OK' sign, but why?

A number of first team personnel, along with a few icons of the Blue, Black and White each in turn posted their images before nominating others to continue the trend.

The reason behind these posts lies with the #ITSOKAYTOTALK campaign - a social media movement which promotes the awareness of suicide among young men.

Suicide stands as the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45, with 4623 men recorded as taking their own lives in 2014.

The lads at Bath Rugby are getting involved in the initiative in hope supporters will also join them on social media, post their own pictures and subsequently provoke discussion and awareness regarding what is often seen as a very taboo topic.

The accompanying message with each of the '#ITSOKAYTOTALK' photos reads:

'The single biggest killer of men aged under 45 is suicide. In 2014, 4,623 men took their own life. That's 12 men every day, one man every two hours.

'41 per cent of men who contemplated suicide, felt they couldn't talk about their feelings. Only 20 per cent of the UK know that suicide is the most likely cause of death for men under 45.

'Let's show men across the world that #ITSOKAYTOTALK. Take a selfie with the okay sign, tag five friends, and let's get the message out that it's okay to talk. Hopefully together we can bring these numbers down.'

Bath wing and England star Anthony Watson received his nomination from international team mate Mike Brown, and was quick to pass on the nomination to his partner in crime at the Rec - Jonathan Joseph.

Thanks @mikebrown_15. I nominate @OfficialTM_3 @Jonathanjoseph0 @HarryAA100m @jeffywilliams88 @danbowden_ pic.twitter.com/7sNvu1OEvA
— Anthony Watson (@anthonywatson_) August 5, 2016

JJ was then quick to hand over to Rhys Priestland, to keep the nominations rolling.

Thanks @BenjaminLewitt @anthonywatson_ .. I nominate @Alex_goode0 @Rhys_Priestland @RoryJennings @KitRShep pic.twitter.com/2LnPIjHTgt
— Jonathan Joseph (@Jonathanjoseph0) August 5, 2016

Thanks @Jonathanjoseph0, strong selfie! I nominate @kyle_eastmond7 @cubbyboi & @bradharrington pic.twitter.com/RUsYrH3PUB
— Rhys Priestland (@Rhys_Priestland) August 6, 2016

Both David Flatman and Duncan Bell were also soon to get in on the action.

Thanks @TomShanklin I nominate @duncanbell3 @robdelaney @AndyGoode10 @BenKay5 @MartinBayfield ?? pic.twitter.com/lWs9to9dGu
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) August 5, 2016

Thnx @davidflatman I nominate @BallMartyn @goatteeboy @BertinetKitchen @n1ckwood @AndyJarrett3 #itsokaytotalk pic.twitter.com/V8WdPwcSOx
— Duncan Bell (@duncanbell3) August 5, 2016