It’s not news that blokes find it hard to talk about their problems. Life can be tough, there is no such thing as a job for life anymore, peer pressure, bullying and exam stress are all common experiences at schools, colleges and universities up and down the country.
Switch on the TV and what do you see? Successful men with money, girls flocking around them, flashy car, nice clothes and so on, not many lads can live up to that can they?
It’s funny though isn’t it, ‘cos if you did a straw poll amongst the population most people would no doubt say that young men are actually the biggest cause of problems in society. Hoddie wearing hooligans, thugs, yobs, scallies, so the list goes on. And yet, on Merseyside, we know only too well of 2 young men who are victims not problem causers.
The story of Anthony Walker’s tragic death shocked the nation. He was a young man who cared about people, he was a youth leader in his church and a keen member of his basketball club. He was typical of many young men, getting on with life, quietly trying to make a difference and improve things for himself and others.
Another Merseyside male in the papers is Michael Shields, imprisoned in Bulgaria for supposedly attempting to murder a waiter despite another man confessing to the crime. Michael is a keen supporter of LFC, studying hard at his local college and working as a railway engineer before he traveled to Istanbul to watch his team play in the European cup final.
How many young men are caring for younger sibling or frail family members right now? How many are working or studying hard to support children? How many are struggling with debts run up trying to maintain a successful lifestyle. How many are tired of not being able to get a job or somewhere to live?
Isn’t it time people stopped seeing young men as being problems and recognise that life can be very tough? Surely the fact that suicide is the biggest killer of men aged 15 – 35 gives everyone a crystal-clear insight into the pressures young men are feeling?
How do black men feel about being out at night in Merseyside now? How many young men will think twice before going abroad to support their football team? Are the levels of stress and worry increasing amongst young men on Merseyside? Probably.
That’s why we’re here, it’s why CALM exist. Because life can be bloody miserable sometimes and everyone needs somebody to help them through the tough times. Talk to a mate, talk to a family member, see a counsellor, do whatever you need to work it through. The silent, strong hard man thing is a myth. Bottle it up and it can screw you up. Get it off your chest to someone you can trust and release the pressure. Get yourself sorted and go and enjoy your life.
