Men, get involved! Mental health campaign #itsoktotalk goes viral
The simple idea centres around men sharing a picture of themselves making the ’Ok’ symbol with their hand and sharing it with the hashtag #itsoktotalk while nominating their friends to do the same.
how about a selfie like this one? Show men all over the world #itsokaytotalk use the hash tag mate! pic.twitter.com/82UXdyZIL2
— Luke Ambler (@lukeambleruk) August 25, 2016
Irish Rugby player Luke Ambler, who plays in the rugby league in the UK, started the campaign to combat the issue that has effected him personally.
Luke lost his brother-in-law Andy to suicide in April.
WATCH: Luke Ambler on his initiative to help tackle and raise awareness of mental health: https://t.co/cJYHkZhzKG pic.twitter.com/h0HdD3eBWO
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 4, 2016
This tragedy spurred the athlete into action and he founded a Facebook group called Andys’ Man Club, where he hopes men can open up about issues that are bothering them both emotionally and intellectually.
Since launching the idea on social media, the concept has spread around the world with people in Australia, UK, Ireland and America getting involved in the campaign.
Mental health organisations have encouraged people to get involved...
Ok boys, start sharing your #ItsOkToTalk selfies. Sharing might let just one friend know you are open to talking 👌🏽. https://t.co/b8liI73ndp
— Mental Health IRL (@MentalHealthIrl) September 4, 2016
Hundreds of men are tweeting that #ItsOkToTalk to raise awareness around male #mentalhealth & wellness https://t.co/cQ4ViRdKzd
— Sandy Hook Promise (@sandyhook) September 4, 2016
As well as a few familiar faces...
@TheLadBible pic.twitter.com/tSPXKtQvhO
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 5, 2016
#ITSOKTOTALK #ruok @SoMRugbyLeague @GenNextVoice check how your mates are doing - "are you ok?". pic.twitter.com/8TA3Ldt6cu
— Matt Curry (@MattCurry7) August 27, 2016
And of course everyone else on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
#Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. #ItsOKToTalk pic.twitter.com/l0NpfuJAUt
— Nathan Chard (@NathanEChard) August 24, 2016
The issue of mental health has never been as prominent as it is now, with over 800,000 people dying from suicide every year, according to the World Health Organisation.
In the US 42,000 people die from suicide every year with the suicide rate of men being 3.5 times higher than that of women.
In Ireland, roughly 500 people die from suicide every year, according to the CSO statistics and the majority of them are men.
This campaign aims to break down the stigma associated with talking about mental health issue and getting men to open up about what is really bothering them.
Remember everyone, male or female, #itsoktotalk.
via BreakingNews.ie
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