While generations of men have grown up believing that ‘boys don’t cry’ a new nationwide campaign is out to flip the script and break down stereotypes all in the name of men’s mental health.
It’s an issue that saw 2,384 Australian men take their own lives in the last year alone—an average of 7 men every single day—with suicide killing three times more Australian men than road accidents. Yet most men still find it hard to express their feelings and ask for help when they’re down. Instead many fall victim to age-old expectations that say they should just ‘man up’ and get on with things.
Boys Do Cry is a new mental health initiative that centres around a reworked take on The Cure’s iconic song ‘Boys Don’t Cry’—featuring a choir of 30 everyday men from all walks of life and backgrounds singing about how important it is to talk to a friend, family member or health professional when times get tough.
Watch the music video and check out a few ways to take action below.
How To Take Action
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Get Talking—Life is tough, there’s nothing unusual about suffering from a mental health condition but it’s important you’re not worrying alone. Talking to a friend, family member or health professional is the first step to getting on top of it. If you’re not sure who to reach out to, check out some of the resources available here.
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Get Listening—If you know someone having a hard time or just haven’t heard from a friend in a while, there are plenty of ways to reach out and offer support. Keep things relaxed and friendly, you want them to feel comfortable about opening up. This page has some helpful tips around specific wording if you’re a bit stuck.
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Get Cracking—It really does take a village, so knowing how to step up and support those in need is just as important as taking care of yourself. Start by spreading the word, educating yourself on men’s mental health issues and learning how to open up with your mates. There are loads of other great ways to take action here.
For more information on the Boys Do Cry campaign, visit the website.
Image credit: Boys Do Cry