Photos of coaster with messages about men’s mental health go viral

Suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45

Photos of a coaster illustrated with messages about the importance of discussing mental health among men have gone viral on Twitter.

Yesterday, a Twitter user called Adam O’Malley posted photos of a coaster on the social media platform, emphasising the significance of the product.

“These beer mats are SO needed,” he wrote. “Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 49, killing three times as many British men as women.

“It’s time to talk about men’s mental health!”

One of the photos displayed one side of the coaster with the message: “Is there a mate missing around this table? Reach out to him.”

The other side of the coaster offered suggestions on actions men can take should they notice a change in their friends’ behaviour.

The profound message being perpetuated by the coaster has evidently resonated with thousands of people, as the tweet currently has more than 25,000 retweets and more than 70,000 likes.

The coaster was created as part of Time to Change’s “Be In Your Mate’s Corner” campaign, which was launched in February last year.

The aim of the campaign, which was announced as a five-year initiative, is to encourage men to provide their friends with more support and to foster open discussions about men’s mental health.

“We know that too often men don't see mental health as relevant to them, despite the shocking statistics which show suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 ,” said Jo Loughran, director of Time to Change.

“It's great to see our In Your Corner campaign coasters getting such a positive response. They encourage men to look out for their mates and step in if they're acting differently.

"You don't need to be an expert, it's basically about being a good friend - reach out, do ordinary things and be yourself."

The photos of the coaster, which were taken by O'Malley at The Original Oak pub in Headingley, Leeds, have received an immensely positive response on Twitter.

“As a trans dude struggling myself that’s so true that these should be everywhere,” one person wrote.

“I’m lucky that my friends have reached out to me and are given support, others aren’t so lucky and it needs to change.”

“This is brilliant,” another individual commented. “Pubs can be a great place in communities for people to come together.”

In March, charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) launched the “Project 84” campaign, an initiative that highlighted the prevalence of suicide among young men by unveiling sculptures of 84 male figures atop the buildings of ITV HQ.

Every single week in the UK, 84 men take their own lives.