MANDOWN is a short film written by Alan Bradley and Francis Quigley, which focuses on the difficulty of engaging with a friend who is experiencing mental health issues. The film aims to encourage young men to find the time to talk.
Recent research from the Office of National Statistics in the UK has found that suicide remains the leading cause of death for men aged between 20 and 34.
There were 554 deaths by suicide in Ireland in 2011, the highest since records began, and researchers believe that the true figure was in fact closer to 600.
83% of these deaths were males.
Ireland was just below the European average, but still had the fourth highest rate for suicides in young men aged 15 to 24.
In light of this, the writers and leads of the short film, young actors Bradley and Quigley, wished to illustrate through MANDOWN the ways in which men can approach friends who may be going through turbulent times in their personal lives.
The superb short film has already been backed by Headstrong in Ireland and CALM in the UK, and Bradley and Quigley will soon launch it in Ireland for World Mental Health Day.
Tony Bates, CEO and founder of Headstrong, commented,
It’s always encouraging when we have young professionals coming to us with ideas like MANDOWN and it shows that youth awareness of mental health issues is growing, but there’s still work to be done.
Projects like this are helping to close the gap between physical and mental health understanding and we’re really pleased we could help support this important film.
H/T: MANDOWN
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