I’m just watching a documentary that Roman Kemp made about male suicide. His best friend killed himself and he has suffered from depression too – some of it stemming from his feelings about what happened to his friend.
We need more people stepping out and talking about this – especially men as it’s the biggest killer of men under 40. That’s insane. How do we live in a society where so many people are dying needlessly?
Dr Alex George who was on Love Island, is another really good campaigner for mental health and I’d definitely recommend checking him out on Instagram. He is super open about having to take an anti depressant, and it’s good to see somebody normalising that. Shame is probably the main thing that stops people from reaching out, and that is a terrible truth.
Remember that there are people out there who will be happy to talk to you, no matter how ridiculous you think your problems are.
From a teaching point of view, I think that the PSHE curriculum could be greatly improved. Kids are told that they can reach out, but they aren’t really told that feeling bad is normal. They are not taught that everybody feels sad – even the people on social media who they look up to with all their money and fame and nice cars and houses.
Let’s take care of our boys and make sure that this isn’t a trend that continues.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
You’re so right, Rachel, about the suicide rate, especially among young men. There’s so much societal pressure on men to ‘be strong’ and ‘handle your feelings,’ but life is not like that. I think you’re right that it starts at home and in school, where kids – all kids – can be taught that it’s perfectly OK to not be OK, and to need help. We have to get past this idea that we shouldn’t let on if something’s wrong.
patientandkindlove
In some ways I think it is societal pressures, more so than not being able to talk. We’re constantly told we need to be perfect and happy. That can feel so isolating when you can’t understand why you don’t feel as happy as the rest of the world.
clcouch123
You’re right. I’ve lost friends this way and gone through great despair of my own as well. I got help. Men should talk about this. Women, of course, can encourage. It’s an urgent topic to have chosen to write about.
patientandkindlove
The atatistics are terrifying. I’m sorry that you have had go through that kind of loss. It must be the worst way to lose someone close to you as you must be left always wondering.