Let's all take Blindboy seriously now...

Reati wrote: »

Because they don't have a reasonable point to make or anything to back it up with. So it's an easy thing to attack and try make him look stupid but the ironic thing is the intelligent reasoning he has for wearing a plastic bag makes those posters look the fool.

I'm no fan of the Rubber-bandits or when comedians get preachy but to be fair to him, he is trying to make a difference in something that clearly has touched him in his life. Mental health issues are serious and if he saves one person from either thinking they are better off dead or trying to commit suicide he has a lot to be proud of.

I couldn't give what he wears or does while delivering that message.

Its also because people are slaves to optics in an extremely shallow way. We all judge what we see and like in this case people don't care about the message, instead prioritising the look. .Also happens when people refuse to listen to a positive message or a good point from somebody who they simply don't like.

Its kind of ironic because one of the issues with mental health is the self absorbed knobs who think "well I don't see anything wrong with you, so just do what I do and get on with life". People see the plastic bag on his head and think that's the major talking point?

What's pathetic isn't that there is a guy with a plastic bag on his head reaching out to communities that otherwise would be ignored or isolated. Its that people think there is more value on insulting the communicator of a very serious, powerful message . .

Deleted User wrote: »

Is there any actual evidence for this, other than "well it sounds like it makes sense so it must be true"?

The causes of suicide are complex. It is dangerous and simplistic to announce that 'factor x' is "driving the suicide rate in this country". Aside from anything else, it pushes responsibility for mental health onto the individual and (conveniently for neo-liberalism) ignores factors such as declining living standards, poverty, insecurity of employment and so on.

It's also worth noting that suicide in most Western countries is actually declining (even allowing for less reporting in previous times).

Personally I don't think it's an appropriate subject for dilletantes to be pontificating about on national television.

I can speak from personal experience and attending a specific support group and hearing other peoples stories for over 5 years that this is a problem.

I believe that there is a shame that many men feel if they find life overwhelming or stressful. I don't see a world or country that supports them or encourages them to release their fears with tears. Personally and in the support rooms (that are not supported by state), its clear that we live in a society that's great at giving lip service to issues it doesn't really want to address in any meaningful way.

In terms of suicide, I agree, the causes are complex and its not simply a case of x or y. However, the culture that exists (men don't cry) is a part of that problem. In my experience, an element of suicide is where people are unable to resolve or express their pain, emotions or feelings in a healthy way and one of these ways is by crying.