Under the motto ‘Come out of your head’, the Flemish Expertise Center for Suicide Prevention (VLESP) is launching a new suicide prevention campaign. The campaign aims to remove mental health problems and suicidal thoughts in men and encourage men and those around them to “get out of their heads” and seek help in the way that suits them best. The center reported this on Tuesday.
In 2019, 960 people died by suicide in Flanders, almost 3 in 4 (73 percent) of them were men. In all age groups, the number of men who die by suicide is higher than among women. Although suicide can never be explained by a single cause or factor, but always involves a complex interplay of factors, compared to women, men appear to experience less social support, are less socially integrated and more emotionally isolated. The threshold to psychological assistance is also often higher for men than for women.
On the campaign website (www.komuitjekop.be) find information, campaign films and video testimonials for men and those around them. With recognizable and hopeful stories and accessible tips, the campaign aims to strengthen men’s mental health and help men and those around them learn to recognize signals better and lower the threshold to help.
“The campaign is an important starting point to encourage men to recognize and tackle mental health problems more quickly in themselves or in men in their environment. That crucial step towards recognition, openness and social support can protect men against possible thoughts or attempts at suicide, which we hope will also help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems in men,” said VLESP Director Gwendolyn Portzky.
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Dare to talk about your emotions. We must and can be there for each other in difficult times.
Flemish Minister of Welfare Wouter Beke (CD&V) emphasizes the importance of the campaign. “We want to further reduce suicide rates by 10 percent by 2030. It is essential that we dare to talk to each other about our problems and seek support. That openness is not easy and certainly not for men. That is why we want to address men very specifically. Dare talk about your emotions. We must and can be there for each other in difficult times.”
If you have questions about suicide, you can also contact the Suicide Line on the free number 1813 or via www.selfmoord1813.be†
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