Zombies Attack In New Mental Health Campaign For Young Men

This post is presented in partnership with the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)

With 40 per cent of young men reportedly living with emotional distress, a new mental health campaign is using the threat of the walking dead to help them open up.

Shuffling feet. Untucked shirts. Insatiable appetites.

The cliché that teenage boys act like zombies takes a literal turn in a new campaign to get young men to seek help for everyday problems, whether it be from mental health professionals, or simply mates who might be going through the same troubles.

Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) recently launched the ‘Something Haunting You’ website and video series, in which everyday anxieties like exam nerves, relationship problems, procrastination guilt and body doubts are represented by, you guessed it, zombies.

The goal is to inspire young men to take action and invite others to share their burden, no matter how small. It's a mission of significant importance, too. A review by the CRC reveals only 13 per cent of young men would seek help for a physical or mental health problem. Their female counterparts, however, are much more open to seeking assistance, at 31 per cent. With young men four times more likely to take their own lives than young women, encouraging open communication among teenagers who are quietly suffering has never been more essential.

The unique concept for this particular campaign came from a collaboration with the Youth Brain Trust, a team of young people who advise the CRC on what creative ideas will connect with their peers.

Aidan Barry was just 16 years old when he began working with the CRC on their campaign for the mental health of young men.

As a member of the Youth Brain Trust, Aidan helped devise a marketing campaign that could communicate the importance of addressing everyday stressors to guys just like him.

“Young men don’t seek help, because men tend to mask their emotions,” Aidan said.

Now 18, Aidan is glad to see the campaign launched and feels it is relevant enough to cut through with young men.

Though the approach is light-hearted, the seriousness of the subject is grave.

According to the CRC, approximately 40 per cent of young men aged 15 to 17 have experienced some level of emotional distress. One in five of those young men feel that life is not worth living.

“You can get a lot of information from older people and professionals, but with young people, a lot of that just flies over their heads because it’s too complicated,” Aidan said.

“What made me want to be a part of [this campaign] was the idea that it’s young people trying to make a solution that’s not only fun but engaging for other young people.”

Aidan’s even personally learnt how to take the advice of the campaign on board, and wants to reassure his fellow young men that there is no shame in asking for assistance.

“You don’t have to show [your problems to the world], but you should try to seek help.”

If you feel the need to talk with someone, or simply want some more information, call beyondblue’s Support Service day or night on 1300 22 4636 or go to beyondblue’s website to chat online (3PM-midnight AEST). You can also phone Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Find further info at Headspace.