Today is the launch of the Best Man Project, from male suicide prevention charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), in collaboration with The Drum’s Do It Day.
Being one of your mate’s best man at their wedding is an incredible honour, and it really shows how much you and your friends mean to each other. But the thinking behind this campaign is that men are far too reluctant to open up to each other outside of preset situations like a wedding. In 2016, 76% of all suicides in the UK were male, and the current culture of masculinity makes many men feel they can’t speak to their male friends when something is wrong – especially when compared to the relationships girls tend to have with their female friends. CALM want to change that.
This new video from CALM starts with several best mates rattling off tales of what they’ve got up to down the years. But then the interviewer asks the men to explain to each other what they actually mean to each other as a friend. It takes a heavy, but life-affirming twist, as most of these guy had never actually thought to bring the subject up.
CALM themselves explain the Best Man Project like this:
An honour many men experience, being a best man is an opportunity to display exemplary mate behaviour. Beyond planning the stag do and crafting embarrassing stories for the speech, a best man comes into his own by being there for the groom through thick and thin, having his back, and acting as a rock of support. A best man is the epitome of a great mate, so CALM’s new initiative is asking: why save it for a wedding?
CALM works to prevent male suicide by challenging attitudes that stop men from opening up. Friendships and social connections can provide a lifeline for those in crisis, but recent research reveals men are much less likely than women to feel comfortable when a man they know opens up to them. The Best Man Project has been designed as a helping hand for men who want to feel confident and comfortable being there for mates in good times and bad.
If you are affected by any of the issues covered in this article,CALM’s free, confidential and anonymous helpline & webchat are open every day, 5pm-midnight: thecalmzone.net/get-help and can be contacted on 0800 58 58 58. The Samaritans can also be contacted 24/7 on 116 123.
