News / Male Mental Health
Bristol filmmaker’s groundbreaking documentary on male mental health
Every day, 12 men take their own lives in the UK. One of these men was Ben Akers’ childhood best friend, Steve Yates, who died on May 28 2014.
Ben, a Bristol-based film maker, has embarked on a mission to make a documentary highlighting the issue of male mental health and tackle some of the stigma surrounding it in a project that he hopes will save lives.
He has travelled the length and breadth of the country speaking to family members, campaigners and others affected by suicide and mental health issues in the hope of reducing the number of preventable deaths.
is needed now More than ever
Former rugby professional rugby player Danny Sculthorpe, Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably) CEO Simon Gunning and Movember co-founder Justin Coghlan are among those who have given their backing and contributed to the film.
Ben is now seeking help in raising the final £12,000 needed to complete the documentary, which he hopes to launch in early December 2018, when it would have been Steve’s 43rd birthday.
“Every day 12 men take their own lives in UK, and while thankfully figures have started to go down recently, suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 45,” says Ben.
“One of those men was my childhood best friend, Steve, which is why this documentary is so important to me.
“The filming is complete and we really believe we have something special on our hands, something that could save lives. But we desperately need an extra £12,000 to help us complete the film and get it out there, seen and talked about by the public.
“That’s why we’re asking people and businesses for financial support to help get us over the line with our groundbreaking film.”
Ben Akers in Bristol, with Blue O’Connor from Kings Grooming (right) and film crew
Find out more about the project and donate via: www.gofundme.com/SteveDocumentary.
Main image of Steve (at the front) and Ben.
Contact the Samaritans at any time on 116 123. For more information on help available, visit: www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us.
Read more: ‘We need to empower young men to be open about their problems’
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