University of Galway Students’ Union has launched a new campaign which encourages young men to stand up and “Seize the Awkward” – to have uncomfortable conversations with a friend about mental health.
The SU will be releasing a series of videos across social media to give practical tips, and there will be information displayed on screens and posters across campus.
Research by the Samaritans shows that less than 20% of men over the age of 18 experiencing mental health difficulties will seek help from a mental health professional.
Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said that we all know that young men are not good at talking about their mental health.
“We don’t feel that anyone is there to listen, and often we don’t know how to ask for support if we need it,” he said.
“The research supports this, so with this campaign we are calling on lads to Seize the Awkward and check in with that friend who hasn’t been doing so good lately, and to ask for help from friends when we’re struggling. We need to stop bottling up our problems and emotions and take this thing seriously.
“According to Samaritans, every 3 in 4 suicides are men. Please don’t suffer in silence. There are supports there to help, which we will be promoting on our social media @uniofgalwaysu this week. Let’s all make an effort to #seizetheawkward this week.”
Students’ Union Vice President for Welfare and Equality Izzy Tiernan added that there is still a stigma attached to men’s mental health.
With this campaign, the SU is hoping to get male students talking and try to normalise the conversation a little.
“There are supports there to help, and the conversation doesn’t have to be such an awkward one. Let’s #seizetheawkward this week and reach out to that friend who hasn’t been doing so well lately,” said Izzy.
