Tell us how gender stereotypes impact your mental health

Gender stereotypes and pressures can have a negative impact on young people’s mental health. For example, phrases like ‘big boys don’t cry’ show us the pressure on young men and boys to behave a certain way. To support young people’s mental health and wellbeing, we want to encourage everyone to speak out when they experience difficulties, learn more about self-care and recognise the signs of mental illness.

As part of our campaign on the impact of gender expectations on mental health, we want to support young people of all genders, but to also focus on young men in Ireland specifically. We hope to spread the message that there is not only one way to ‘be a man’ or express your gender, and that opening up and asking for help is more than okay. We want to promote suicide and self harm prevention, encouraging young men, and every young person, to seek help when needed, highlighting services and self care methods to help support and prevent mental health difficulties.

To share your story, email [email protected]

Share your story

• How do you think gender expectations have impacted your mental health?
• What do you do to look after your mental health?
• Why do you think it’s important for people of all genders to talk about their mental health?
• Do you think men find it harder to seek help for their mental health? What can be done about this?
• What mental health services have you used? How was the experience?

We are looking for young people of all genders to share your stories, particularly young men. We believe that young people across Ireland can help support each other by sharing stories, lived experiences, advice and opinions. If you’re between 16 and 25 years old and living in Ireland, we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in writing an article or making a video. You can find out more about the writing process here, or get in touch with [email protected].

Do I need writing experience?

You do not need any writing experience. We’ll help you out every step of the way giving you feedback and suggestions for your piece. Your piece will be posted on SpunOut.ie and our social media so that thousands of young people across Ireland will feel more supported and encouraged to seek help.

To share your story, email [email protected]

Read other articles on Covid-19

• Why men should be encouraged to express their emotions – Colm Caldwell
• My journey to look after my mental health – Kyle McGee
• How exercise and meditation help my mental health – Criodán Ó Murchú
• What it’s like growing up with ADHD – Ross Boyd
• Why we need better mental health education in Ireland – Adam Fitzhenry