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Missing teen struggled with his mental health, says brother

Mollie Perella
BBC Newsbeat
Police Scotland A young man in a white pullover hoodie stands in front of a cherry blossom tree at the edge of a park on a sunny day. He's smiling and his hands are held up under his chin, palms down, with the tips of his middle and index fingers touching. He looks as if he's trying to stifle a giggle.Police Scotland
Cole Cooper was last seen one month ago

A missing teenager had been struggling with his mental health "for a while", his brother has said.

Cole Cooper, 19, hasn't been heard from since he went on a night out with friends in Falkirk on 3 May.

His older brother Connor told BBC Newsbeat that Cole had experienced suicidal thoughts and depression before his disappearance.

Connor, 22, said his family had tried to offer but it had been rejected.

"That's the difficult bit for me as his brother," Connor said.

"Just because I'm preparing for the worst, and I just wish he would take that help that we offered."

Cole was officially reported missing on Friday 9 May, and the last-known CCTV footage of him was recorded on the morning of 4 May.

Connor said it had been suggested to him that Cole might have taken "time out" for his mental health, but he didn't feel that explained his brother's long absence.

"It didn't sit right with me," he said.

"I can get that if you're in that state of mind you might want to escape reality.

"But four weeks down the line is where it gets a lot more concerning."

Police Scotland said Cole had not used his phone or bank cards in the time he'd been missing - something Connor said he found particularly worrying.

A witness, who told police they knew Cole, reported seeing him on 7 May in Longcroft, near his home village of Banknock.

Connor says he has questions about the sighting.

"We've not got footage to back it up," said Connor.

"As well as that, I just don't believe you go missing, pop up three or four days later and go missing again."

Connor Cooper Two young men, dressed in smart-casual clothing, sit next to each other at a long table dotted with empty drinks glasses. Both are looking over their left shoulder at the camera, and the young man at the rear of the shot has his hand resting affectionately on the other young man's shoulderConnor Cooper
Connor (front) said he'd always "shielded" little brother Cole

The search for Cole Cooper

Officers have visited more than 200 homes and obtained more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage.

Search teams, helicopters, drones and divers have also searched the local area.

Cole's family have carried out their own searches, with one taking place on Sunday.

"Your mind plays tricks on you at times when you're out looking," Connor said.

"Because you're looking back and going 'did I see something or not":[]}