Advertisement
In association with Specsavers

Watch this powerful video made for World Suicide Prevention Day

World renowned poet Hussain Manawer, in collaboration with Movember, drops hard-hitting video encouraging men to get talking and challenge the stigma attached to mental health.

One man dies by suicide every minute of every day. That is the hard-hitting message at the centre of a powerful video released by globally renowned poet Hussain Manawer, in collaboration with cancer charity Movember, for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Manawer, who has campaigned for men’s mental health with the Samaritan’s charity and with US TV host Oprah, released the poem and video ‘YOU GOT YOURSELF’, to encourage men to become “a man of more words”.

Hussain Manawer said: We are growing up at a time where there is so much uncertainty and not only that but stigma, taboo and so many other contributing factors prevent us men from speaking up about what we are going through.”

On average it is estimated around 6,000 take their lives in the UK each year, however evidence from the Samaritans charity indicates there has been an overall decline of suicide rates.

In England 7.4 per cent of suicides have fallen as the country reports 404 fewer people taking their own lives in comparison to 2019. 

Despite showing a positive decline in the suicide rate, Scotland still remains particularly higher than the UK average, as 15 out of every 100,000 suffer at the hands of the mental health issue, opposed to England and Wales averaging 10 out of every 100,000. 

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

Men aged between 45-49 continue to be the most susceptible to suicide.

Across the UK men are statistically 3 times more likely to take their own lives in comparison to women, raising awareness about the importance of emotional well-being amongst the male community is a must. 

Manawer, who has recently made an appearance on Oprah’s mental health series on Apple TV, said we need to take further steps “to create safer spaces” for those suffering from poor mental health. 

With hopes of tackling the problem at the root, Movember is turning to early intervention initiatives with its Movember Conversations programme, an online interactive tool that gives family and friends guidance on how to support men that may be struggling. 

The tool uses simulated conversations to indicate how one may approach the subject of someone’s emotional well-being, guided by an international team of mental health experts. 

If you are struggling to cope with your mental health, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website here. 

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
MPs vote to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales: 'We are right to give people a choice'
Kim Leadbeater in the House of Commons
Assisted dying

MPs vote to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales: 'We are right to give people a choice'

We ignore 'forgotten' diseases like leprosy at our peril
Diseases

We ignore 'forgotten' diseases like leprosy at our peril

The NHS is the 'big winner' from Reeves' spending review – but there will be 'difficult trade-offs'
Spending Review

The NHS is the 'big winner' from Reeves' spending review – but there will be 'difficult trade-offs'

Sound advice: why ear health matters – and how easy it is to check yours
Two silhouetted figures stand on a curved path surrounded by layered, abstract paper-cut shapes in shades of green and teal, creating a tunnel-like effect that suggests depth and exploration, modelled on the human ear.
Advertorial

Sound advice: why ear health matters – and how easy it is to check yours

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue