Get Men Talking – and Save Men’s Lives, Nov 5 | jingkids international | Beijing | October 31st, 2019

OK, so there are probably times when we men should talk a bit less and listen a bit more. (That’s what my wife says, anyway.) But there is one area where men don’t talk nearly enough, and that’s about our emotions. And the consequences are serious. Young men, so often raised to believe that “boys don’t cry,” and asking for help is a sign of weakness, are vastly more likely than women to commit suicide or self-harm.

One group in Beijing is determined to break this pattern, and is running an event to encourage men to start talking about how they really feel. According to organizers Beijing Wave, “Feminism is for Everyone: Get Men Talking will take the form of an open discussion guided by short films and topical questions that will have participants breaking down the overlooked epidemic that is men’s mental health and suicide.”

We asked founder Jodie Warren to tell us more about the group.

“We’re (currently) a group of women striving to form a strong and visibly present community in Beijing that connects through gender equality and women’s empowerment,” she told us. “We host events at which this community can discuss, share and educate one another on topics that are relevant worldwide.”

But many men, we suggested, see feminism as a threat, not a solution to their problems.

“True feminism advocates for equal treatment and opportunity for everyone regardless of gender,” Warren said. “Therefore feminism should never be taken as a threat to men because we are on their side.”

In fact, they decided to launch their series of events with a discussion of men’s issues.

“We wanted to start a series titled Feminism Is For Everyone to diminish the idea that feminism is a cis-woman only movement. We felt the best place to start was with men. I’m from the UK and recently the statistics regarding suicide amongst our young men has been brought to light to which people have been avidly campaigning to raise awareness of men’s mental health. November is also a huge month where men across the globe take part in Movember which raises money for men’s mental health charities!”

All are welcome at the event, Warren said, but they are keen for men to attend and speak about their lives. She added that it’s particularly vital for parents to be supported in changing the messages we send to children about gender and mental health.

“Although we encourage all genders to attend Beijing Wave events we, of course, encourage men to attend first and foremost. We believe it’s important to provide men with a space where they are able to discuss mental health without judgement or stigma attached to the things they share. We want this event to chip away at the burden men may face when talking about their mental health and suicide. I believe parents raising young boys (or girls) would benefit greatly from attending this event because we’ll be unpacking the gender stereotypes taught from childhood and how this is likely to impact young boys negatively as they get older.”

If you want to be part of this important conversation, you can book via the QR code in the poster below.