Today four of St Peter's Sixth Form boys spoke confidently in assembly about International Men's Day which is taking place on Tuesday 19th November, which we will be supporting as a school. Pupils Wills, Archie, Callum and Anesu spoke in turn about why it is so important for us to talk about men’s mental health, and for men to look to others for positive role models. Their speech is shared below.
"Today we will be talking about the importance of men's mental health, which International Men’s Day next Tuesday aims to raise awareness for. This also coincides with the ongoing Movember campaign which focuses on similar issues.
International Men's Day is a global awareness day celebrated in over 80 countries with the aim of highlighting social issues which men face today both physically and mentally. From its creation in the 1990s, International Men’s Day has aimed to draw attention to key problems such as abuse, suicide, and violence that continue to affect men around the world. In high-income nations, men commit suicide at a rate three times higher than women, according to a 2018 World Health Organization report. Despite these startling numbers, males are less likely than women to have sought official mental health support in the last year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, demonstrating an urgent need to address this problem. This is why we believe it's so important to talk about mental health and why we are aiming to try and break the social stigma about men addressing their problems and concerns.
Though IMD sheds light on men’s problems, it's also a day to celebrate the positive male figures within our lives and their brilliant achievements. This ties into this year's theme for IMD being “Positive Male Role Models”. Whether it is a family member, a teacher, someone in your community or even a friend, we encourage you to think of one male in your life who has had a lasting positive effect on you. But who are these role models?
Male role models are crucial in shaping the development and well-being of young people, particularly boys, as they provide positive examples of behaviour, responsibility, and leadership. These role models offer guidance and a sense of direction, helping individuals navigate challenges and build strong character. In a world where traditional gender roles are evolving, male role models serve as anchors that demonstrate how to balance strength with vulnerability, ambition with humility, and independence with compassion. Key characteristics of positive male role models include integrity, resilience, empathy, and respect. Integrity involves being honest and upholding strong moral principles, which helps young people understand the importance of trustworthiness in relationships and decision-making. Resilience teaches perseverance in the face of adversity, encouraging the youth to overcome obstacles with determination. Empathy shows the value of understanding each other’s feelings and perspectives, fostering compassion and cooperation. Lastly, respect—toward oneself and others—promotes healthy relationships and a sense of responsibility within the community. As well as these traits being something for us to learn from. In a world where many young people grow up without a consistent father figure to provide this example we believe it's important that we not only recognise these traits but ensure that we all demonstrate them on a daily basis.
Two positive male role models that stood out to us are Barack Obama and Ben Francis. The first of these men, Barack Obama was the first Black American president of the United States.
During his leadership he showed that determination, intelligence, and integrity can break barriers and inspire change. He emphasizes the importance of education, empathy, and service to others. His leadership teaches young men to stay true to their values while striving for greatness. To this day he still inspires us through his talent for public speaking and his desire to make the world a better place for all.
The second male role model that stood out to us is Ben Francis. As the founder of UK clothing company Gym shark, Francis was constantly told during his startup that it was not possible to make a brand from scratch which would compete against the likes of Nike and Adidas. As a 19-year-old boy in his parents’ garage, he had to blockout this negative outside noise and focus on his dreams if he was to achieve them. 12 years, millions of dollars, and countless hours of hard work later he is now the founder and CEO of a company which operates in over 230 countries selling gym equipment to millions of people. His story serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late or too difficult to achieve your goals, and that young men have the power to make an impact on the world no matter the situation they start in. He also serves his local community as the first ever Charity Patron for the Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
International Men’s Day encourages men to teach the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man. However, this does not mean only men can participate in the day. International Men’s Day is about solidarity, not division. It’s a day to raise awareness of how the challenges men face often go unnoticed, while also emphasizing the importance of working together, men and women alike, to build a world where everyone’s struggles are recognized, heard, and addressed. It is up to all of us to help build the society and community we are proud to be a part of. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “We must become the change we seek.” It is only when we all lead by example that we will create a fair society that allows everyone the opportunity to thrive.
Though we have mentioned a few significant male figures that a lot of you would have heard of, this doesn't mean that you can't be a role model. A role model isn't solely defined by fame, status or even a title like a sports captain or a monitor, but the influence you have in positively shaping those around you.
As Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not when he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but when he stands in times of challenge and controversy.” The true strength of character comes not from avoiding difficulty, but from confronting it with courage, compassion, and integrity. A true role model! To raise awareness, we will be handing out blue International Men’s Day wristbands to all the Sixth Form in the school after assembly, to wear next week with the slogan #talking about men. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating IMD and spark an important conversation about men."
Thank you to the pupils for speaking to our community. As we left assembly, Senior Deputy Head Mr Hall reminded pupils that anyone who is struggling should find someone to talk to. There is a vast network of support available.
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