Press release -

News release: The Duke of Cambridge joins famous faces in supporting CALM's #BestManProject

  • The Duke of Cambridge met staff, volunteers and supporters from the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide
  • The Duke joined Rio Ferdinand, Loyle Carner, Roman Kemp and more in discussing how friendships can support men’s wellbeing. Watch the exclusive film: https://youtu.be/lGZqw1DoTcY
  • CALM’s #BestManProject initiative celebrates power of friendships and supports men in looking out for their mates

This week, as part of his work with the Heads Together, The Duke of Cambridge met with staff, volunteers, and supporters of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, as he gave his support to the Best Man Project.

An exclusive film shows The Duke joining eight other men including former professional footballer and pundit Rio Ferdinand, musician Loyle Carner, and radio and TV presenter Roman Kemp, to share personal stories of how friendships can have positive effects on men’s wellbeing. The Duke himself discussed his strong relationship with his brother, Prince Harry, as well as touching on how friends have helped him through good times and bad. Watch the film here: https://youtu.be/lGZqw1DoTcY

CALM works to prevent male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, by providing support services and campaigning to change attitudes that prevent men seeking help. Research shows men’s social connections can wane over time and social isolation is a growing problem, especially for men over 30 [1], while men are much less likely than women to feel comfortable when a man they know opens up to them [2]. However, friendships and peer groups can be instrumental in supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing, and these social connections can provide a lifeline for those in crisis.

To celebrate this, CALM launched the Best Man Project in November 2017. An honour many men experience, being a best man is often a shining example of what it means to be a great mate. Through the Best Man Project, CALM is asking: why save it for a wedding? The Best Man Project has been designed as a helping hand for men who want to feel confident and comfortable being there for mates in good times and bad.

Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: "We know friendships can have a hugely positive effect on men’s wellbeing, so we’re delighted to have the support of The Duke of Cambridge in shining a light on the important issue of male mental health. Building and maintaining connections with others can be genuinely lifesaving for men, and that’s what CALM’s Best Man Project is all about.”

Dr Jay Watts, a Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist and CALM supporter, said: “Friendships are incredibly important for mental health, providing social support, connection and community. The Best Man Project is about celebrating male friendship, and encouraging these to be lifelong, deserving of time, celebration and investment. It is so much better to keep these relationships going in good times, even when Netflix beckons, because it can be super hard to reach out to people one has lost contact with when times are tough.”

Further films featuring Rio Ferdinand, Loyle Carner and Roman Kemp will be released over the coming weeks. Follow the #BestManProject on social media and sign up at http://bit.ly/BestManProject to receive tips and advice on being a better mate every day, straight to your inbox. 

Related links

Topics

  • Art, Culture, Entertainment

Categories

  • best man project
  • campaign against living miserably
  • calm
  • prince william
  • roman kemp
  • loyle carner
  • friends
  • rio ferdinand
  • royal family
  • duke of cambridge
  • heads together
  • suicide
  • mental health

NOTES TO EDITORS

Contact: Neil Wood, CALM - 07738 160434 / 020 3697 9331 neilwood@thecalmzone.net

For more information on The Duke of Cambridge, please contact James Holt at Kensington Palace: 020 7368 0852 / 07590982997 / james.holt@royal.gsx.gov.uk

[1] Of men that had experienced or are experiencing loneliness the average age to feel most lonely was 35 (research on behalf of Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, 2017)

[2] 46% of male respondents said they felt comfortable when a man they knew opened up to them, compared to 57% of female respondents (YouGov 2017).

CALM’s #BestManProject campaign launched in November 2017. For more info and to sign up, visit http://bit.ly/BestManProject

Download the films: https://thecalmzone.box.com/s/enmtwfig6rchv5q1l7zsh8th1pnjtb8t 

Founded in 2006, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. For more information visit thecalmzone.net.

In 2016, 76% of all suicides in the UK were male. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under-45 in the UK (NISRA, GRO, ONS, 2015). Only 55% of men who’ve experienced depression will tell anyone about it, compared to 67% of women (CALM’s Masculinity Audit 2016).

CALM’s free, confidential and anonymous helpline & webchat are open every day, 5pm-midnight thecalmzone.net/get-help

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