Does your teen know it’s okay to talk about the emotions they have when they feel lost, depressed, sad, and hopeless?
On July 31, rugby player Luke Ambler said this, “My brother-in-law killed himself back in April and it was completely out of the blue.”
Because it left his family devastated, he felt that something needed to be done. So he created the Andy’s Man Club in the United Kingdom.
Wanting other men to not be afraid to talk about their feelings or about suicide, he took a selfie of himself using the OK hand symbol to let others know that it IS okay to talk about how you feel.
According to the CDC, males take their own lives at nearly four times the rate of females and represent 77.9% of all suicides (2015 Suicide Data Sheet).
This is partially due to the fact that young boys/men don’t normally share their feelings. In fact, they feel uncomfortable in doing so. To teens/young men, showing emotions such as sadness or depression is a sign of weakness. Women on the other hand, are encouraged to share their feelings and how crying or sadness is acceptable.
Fathers and men of humbleness and strength can change this attitude. They can encourage that talking about their struggles, their weaknesses, and their sadness is a part of empowering them. It releases the pent up emotional toll that they have been carrying. With a message like this being shared by a man, that gives young male teens and men the permission to share their hurts and pain without shame.
This is the first big step in curbing suicidal tendencies. With Suicide Prevention this week, let’s spread the news that YES! It’s OKAY to talk about your emotions, feelings, struggles, hurts and pain.