“It can be hard to tell someone you’re struggling”
England rugby star Joe Marler has teamed up with the Campaign Against Living Miserably for a unique YouTube video about mental health.
The film starts with Marler talking about a “great win” on the rugby field. It seems like nothing out of the ordinary, and just another post-match interview that sports fans will have seen a million times before.
But this is something different. Joe Marler then faces the camera and directly addresses the viewer.
“How did that sound? Pretty standard?” he says. Joe then tells the viewer to hover the cursor over the YouTube timeline preview to get the real story, adding “I’ll wait”.
This is the clever part. As the viewer hovers across the timeline, the previews reveal a hidden message – a message that reveals that how someone is feeling on the inside can be very different from the image they present to the world. It highlights how many people, especially men, often hide their feelings and find it difficult to speak openly about mental health.
“It can be hard to tell someone you’re struggling,” the video ends with. “So no matter who you are, CALM is here to help you find the words”.
According to research, 84% of men in the UK say they bottle up their emotions, with 44% saying they suppress their emotions often or at least once a day.
“There are 18 deaths by suicide every day in the UK, with 75% of those being male. That is unacceptable,” says Simon Gunning from CALM.
“Like Joe, we all go through tough times, whether it’s the breakdown of a relationship, losing a job, financial worries, or going through a bereavement. But as men, we sometimes try to mask our emotions and put on a brave face.”
“That is why now, more than ever, we must continue to challenge a culture that prevents men from opening up and seeking the help they need. It’s important we open up and talk about how we feel, and to not always take things at face value if you think someone close to you is feeling down.”
If you’re struggling, talk to CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or through their webchat. Their trained support workers are available from 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year to provide practical support and advice. To find out more visit www.thecalmzone.net.
