ABOUT BOYS IN MIND
It’s a tough world for all of us right now and particularly for young people.
Boys and young men seem to suffer disproportionately in a culture that constantly tells them to ‘man up’.
But what do you do if that feels alien or you simply feel down or overwhelmed?
It’s all too easy to bottle things up.
We work in partnership with young people and professionals to promote mental and physical wellbeing and prevent suicide, particularly among boys and young men.
Boys in Mind was established in 2017 & became a registered charity in 2022
Our work is guided by our 3 Ps…
About the Boys in Mind team
We are a small but passionate team of educators, mental health experts, filmmakers and other professionals, based in Bath, South West England. We know our community and have expertise in education and other youth settings.
Our core team includes senior education professionals with many years’ experience of teaching and safeguarding young people. This expertise means that we are welcomed into youth settings, as we are trusted to deliver on a sensitive issue.
Our professional filmmakers create focus groups of young people who decide which themes they’d like to pursue via film.
Our team includes those with lived experience of navigating their own mental health struggles, and supporting loved ones who have experienced thoughts of suicide or taken their life.
This personal experience informs our work and enables us to approach young men struggling with their mental health with empathy and a deeper understanding.
Why we’re here
The statistics are sobering …
Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people under 35 in the UK1
75% of suicides in 2023 were male1
Since 2013, suicide rates have risen among younger males aged 10-14 years2
Suicide in young people can be linked to many factors, including poor mental health, academic pressures, bullying, social isolation, eating disorders, family circumstances, bereavement, relationship problems and struggles around sexuality or gender identity2
On average, five young people take their lives every single day1
Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year1
In 2023, one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25, had a probable mental health condition. This number has been rising since 2017, most notably in the 17 – 19 age group3
- Office for National Statistics, 2024
- State of Child Health Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2020
- Mental Health of Children and Young People in England. NHS England, 2023
What we do
Through talks, workshops, films and outreach projects,
we support boys and young men to develop their resilience and mental wellbeing.
Talks & workshops
We work directly with hundreds of boys and young men each year, promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
We do this via talks and workshops in schools, colleges, universities and other youth settings such as music festivals across our region. We also partner with other organisations to offer art and music activities.
Outreach projects
We run practical outreach initiatives in the Bath area, in partnership with local schools and community organisations.
Current projects include:
- Grow For Life – a therapeutic gardening project
- Team Talk – community-based football with Larkhall Athletic Football Club
- Boxing In Mind – boxing for wellbeing with UBX Bath
- NextGen Strength + Mind – calisthenics for wellbeing with CaliUnity Bath
Filmmaking & resources
We work with schools and community groups to make memorable films exploring issues that are important to them.
We work with schools and community groups to make memorable films exploring issues that are important to them.
Our award-winning films, podcasts, blogs and resources are available for schools, universities and youth groups to use to start their own healthy conversations about mental wellbeing.
Our values
Despite much work to challenge the stigma around mental health, many boys and young men are still unwilling or unable to open up about their struggles and get help.
They suffer in silence and, tragically, some go on to take their lives.
With the right support at the right time, many young lives can be saved.
Challenging stereotypes
We believe that by challenging unhelpful and inaccurate stereotypes around ‘what it means to be a man’, we can improve male mental health. We aim to reduce the stigma and isolation which often exists for boys and young men — enabling them to talk honestly about their emotions, express their vulnerability in a safe and healthy manner, and ask for help when they need it.
Compassion & inclusion
We work in a compassionate and solution-focused way, celebrating equality and diversity, challenging unhelpful stereotypes and combating stigma. We want young men to feel okay about opening up if they feel down or start to have serious thoughts about suicide.
Early intervention
We believe that early intervention is key, so we aim to reach young men with positive messaging and support around their mental wellbeing before they slide into despondency, depression and even suicidal thoughts. This support extends to parents and others close to the young person.
Saving young lives
Research shows that with appropriate early intervention, support and positive messaging, many young lives can be saved. We are committed to reaching young people — and those around them — before crisis takes hold.
Our aim
We want to help young men to feel okay about opening up if they feel down or start to have serious thoughts about suicide.
