Did you know that Polish men in Scotland are dying by suicide at nearly twice the average rate?
Shed your armour, show the scars! is a campaign created by the Polish Community Ambassadors, coordinated by Feniks and See Me Scotland.
The project challenges stigma and discrimination against mental health problems. The armour symbolises the emotional protection that shields men against different aspects of social judgement, while the scars depict painful experiences. Thus, our call to action is for Polish men to remove their shields and speak up.
It encourages them and their relatives to talk and seek help and support. Conversations around mental health can save not just one but many lives.
More information about the campaign can be found at www.feniks.org.uk
The campaign is run mostly online and you can find it on Feniks’s and a dedicated Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/Feniks.Support.Services
Background
A study conducted by Feniks on the mental health of the Polish community in Scotland revealed that over 65% of men admitted having suicidal thoughts, whereas nearly 37% of the participants attempted to take their own life. Statistical data obtained by Feniks, in partnership with the NHS Lothians, shows that the level of suicides among Polish men in Scotland is nearly twice as high as among Scots (96% higher). One of the factors contributing to these results derives from individual reluctance towards seeking help. It is a direct consequence of shame, fear, or discomfort around the acknowledgment of mental health problems.
Our campaign, Shed your armour, show the scars! challenges those deeply ingrained stereotypes. It encourages men to share their experiences regarding mental ill-health and how they overcome those challenges.
