A 17-year-old from Crosby has gained support from football legends for his campaign to improve how men's mental health is discussed in schools. Jack Kirby has launched a petition calling for statutory guidance on mental health in secondary schools to be expanded to include more specific content around men's mental health.
The teenager is aiming to reach 10,000 signatures before the petition closes on November 13. At the time of writing, it has attracted just over 2,300 signatures. If it reaches the 10,000-signature threshold, the Government will be required to consider the petition and respond.
Personal experience drives campaign
Jack has been campaigning on the issue after seeing first-hand the impact that poor mental health and people struggling to open up can have on families and communities. He told the ECHO: "I've seen the impact first hand that people not opening up can have and the effect it can have on so many communities. I know friends my own age and adults who have struggled with their mental health and sadly taken their own lives."
He added: "So many times in school have I seen men's mental health month get completely bypassed and unnoticed. I believe if it's spoken about enough at an early age, that would help remove the barrier for young men to open up and talk about how they truly feel without being shamed."
"Talking about statistics isn't enough on its own. It needs to be taught and accepted that men can be vulnerable as well and it shouldn't be used against them."
Support from football legends
Jack believes schools and education should be the starting point for changing attitudes towards men's mental health. He said: "There are discussions on mental health but none are directed towards men's mental health. It's really common for us to hide how we're feeling, which is reflected in the extremely high levels of male suicide."
His campaign has received support from Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright. Jack contacted Carragher after realising the former Liverpool defender lived nearby. His mum, Jan, 52, said: "We live not a million miles from him, so Jack wrote him a letter. As he was about to approach the house, Jamie actually came out so he met him on the street."
Carragher has since recorded a video alongside Jack urging people across Liverpool to support the campaign. In the video, Carragher says: "Liverpool, we need you more than ever because this young man is starting an initiative around male suicide and mental health for men across the board."
Carragher adds: "I think the fact that we've got quite a high profile Scouser in charge of the Government right now who's a massive Evertonian, like Jack is as well, hopefully we can get this across the line."
Next steps for the petition
Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright reposted the video to their own Instagram stories. The campaign has also attracted support from Emmerdale actress Beth Corden, after Jack reached out to her on Instagram. He has also contacted mental health charities and his local MP Peter Dowd.
Jan said she was initially surprised by how much work her son had put into the campaign. She said: "He just came to me one night and asked me to sign his petition. He organised it himself. We knew he was passionate about it, but we didn't know he'd actually researched and started a petition. He just feels so strongly about it and I couldn't be prouder."
Jan is urging people who support Jack's campaign to make sure they complete the final step when signing the petition, as signatures must be validated through the confirmation email to count. With the deadline of November 13 approaching, Jack is now hoping the people of Liverpool can help him reach the 10,000 signatures needed to put the issue in front of the Government.
