Men’s mental health charity, HUMEN, has called on university Student Union’s to get involved in their first-ever “Mental Health Pilgrimage” 5k walk this December.
The charity which focuses on reducing male suicides within the UK has asked university students across the UK to encourage their respective Student Union’s to get involved in their “Mental Health Pilgrimage” walk as a part of their Rise Against Suicide campaign, with their aim being to encourage safe, progressive conversation – especially for young men.
Over 5,000 men in the UK and Ireland took their own lives in the last year, accounting for 74% of all suicides.
To raise awareness of this and encourage change, HUMEN’s supporters from around the country will embark on a 5,151m walk, starting and ending at participating Student Unions, on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
The 5,151 metres represent each man who lost his life to suicide in the last year. At the unions, participants will be encouraged to donate and support HUMEN’s work via its Mental Health Menu.
HUMEN Founder River Hawkins said: “Students need friendly spaces to talk, listen and connect.
“As Student Unions are the cornerstone of every campus, they can play an important role in addressing suicide and mental health.
“We want universities to consider mental health support just as much as they value academic performance – and they want to help. The right to talk should never be a privilege.”
This campaign follows HUMEN’s mental health league table which was completed this summer, providing key insights into the need for universities to improve their campus facilities and mental health services.
Supporters of the charity include Andrew Scott, Bill Nighy, Danny Cipriani, Emma Rigby, David Gandy, Tom Odell, and Ugo Monye to name a few.
Lead Image: HUMEN