Virtual Mental Health Festival aims to address the issue of male suicide and nurturing men’s mental health

Date: Wednesday 23 Sep 2020

A 2019 report from the Mental Health Foundation revealed that overall, men accounted for three-quarters of UK deaths by suicide in 2018. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the same year paints the same bleak picture: With men nearly as three times more likely to die of suicide than women. 

According to the 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem. However, men may be reluctant to seek support for their mental health or disclose mental health problems to loved ones – and this reluctance can be one of the factors for men’s suicide.

In line with this, two leading mental health organisations in the UK have banded together to host the Good Mental Health Festival preceding the World Mental Health Day on Friday 9th October at 10am–4pm.

One of the highlights of the Good Mental Health Festival is a keynote talk from Dan Keeley, a mental health activist, founder and mission director at #AREWEOKUK, and a Calmer Ambassador.

Through an immersive keynote talk, Dan will share his full story and why he is committed to creating a world where every single one of us has the courage, support, and safe space to speak up when we’re suffering, and why the conversation around the power of vulnerability – particularly with men – is one of the most vital conversations we could be having as a society in the times we’re living in.

The Good Mental Health Festival is a one-day virtual mental health festival which will feature positive mental health talks,  presentations, and workshops.

The festival – organised by Calmer and Psychreg – aims to identify ways on how we can nurture our mental health and wellbeing.

Good Mental Health Festival will also underscore the importance of thriving in our work and all aspects of our lives.

Calmer is an award-winning training organisation that empowers entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business teams to nurture good mental health and wellbeing.

Award-winning entrepreneur, author and founder of Calmer, Tania Diggory, shares: ‘We are so excited to launch this festival in collaboration with Psychreg, to provide an empowered approach to exploring mental health. We feel there is a need for more focus on the various states of mental health.

While we can experience mental health struggles, we can also fluctuate in how we feel from day to day depending on many circumstances, and indeed we can experience positive mental health.

‘This event aims to explore what that looks like, and empowers individuals to embrace practical strategies, techniques and resources that can support a thriving state of mental health – no matter what comes your way in life.’

Meanwhile, Psychreg is recognised by Vuelio as one of the top mental health blogs in the UK and has been recently named ‘Blogger of the Year’ by the Mental Health Blog Awards.

Known as the world’s first blog psychologist, Psychreg founder Dennis Relojo-Howell shares: ‘I’m thrilled that Psychreg will be co-hosting this important event with Calmer. Our shared ethos allows us to add fresh and nuanced perspectives to the wider conversations within mental health and wellbeing.

‘GMH Festival aims to highlight ways in which we can nurture our mental health across different aspects of our lives so that we can all flourish and thrive.’

Alongside Dan Keeley, the online festival will feature world-renowned thought leaders in the field of mental health, business development, psychology, and the creative industries:

• Dennis Relojo-Howell and Besma Whayeb will deliver a workshop to encourage participants to experience the therapeutic power of digital storytelling through mental health blogs. Besma is the creator of Curiously Conscious which has been named Top UK Green Blog for three consecutive years (2018–2020). Besma’s blog documents kinder ways to live and dress; she covers sustainable fashion, clean beauty, low-impact lifestyle, and more.
• Tania Diggory will interview Bruce Daisley, ex-VP for Twitter (Europe), Best-selling author and podcast host for the UK’s No.1 business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat. This in-depth conversation will unpack the ever-changing landscape of the working world and what’s to come, the importance of nurturing a culture of wellness within companies, and what that looks like. This conversation will also identify companies at the forefront of prioritising mental health and what we can all do to inspire a workplace of authenticity, creativity, and inspiration.
• Dr Mark Hoelterhoff, a lecturer from the University of Edinburgh, will share his expertise and insights on how we can move beyond being resilient. Mark has been in the field of mental health for over 25 years and has carried out important works in advocating for the promotion of psychological capital. As a counselling psychologist, his experience includes working alongside people in both private practice and third sector organisations around the world.
• Singer and Songwriter JP Cooper, Head of Silver Rain Games Studio Mel Phillips and Director at 6th From the Spotlight Leo Anna Thomas, are among a panel of experts who will be exploring the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the creative industries. Research reveals that those who work in the creative sector are three times more likely to experience mental health issues, and so this panel discussion aims to cultivate opportunities on how the creative sector can foster an atmosphere of acceptance so that individuals can safely and openly talk about their internal struggles, access support and prioritise their mental health.
• Joshua Robertson is a professional stand-up comedian, writer and actor, as well as a Calmer Ambassador, who will be providing entertainment during the event. Joshua is also a motivational speaker with a powerful story to share. Having endured a serious motorbike crash when he was 11 years old, which left him in a coma for four months, Joshua now lives with a physical disability. He made an inspiring choice to harness his powerful story through comedy and as a result, has performed around the world, including the famous London Comedy Store; home to many of the world’s stand-up comedians.

A number of other dynamic and inspiring speakers have also been invited and will be announced in due course.

The Good Mental Health Festival is a global virtual event and actively encourages participation from countries where there is a scarcity of conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

A one-day pass ticket to the event costs £20, and can also be purchased ‘a la carte style’ at £5 per talk. Book your tickets here.

A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the event’s charity partner, Be Kind Movement, which was established with the aim of amplifying the power of kindness through education. Their mission is to provide access to education for women and children that is academic, vocational and experiential, and their purpose is to fund projects that educate, create sustainable impact and transform hearts and minds.

For more information and to book an interview with the founders Tania Diggory and Dennis Relojo-Howell, please contact goodmentalhealth.festival@gmail.com.