Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. 12 men a day. One every 2 hours. One of those men was Ben Akers’ childhood best friend, Steve.
At the beginning of 2018, Ben Akers embarked on a project, a documentary about male suicide – to prevent male suicide. Akers lived in Sydney for 6 years and worked at Droga5, GPY&R before joining the behaviour change agency, Republic of Everyone. He returned to the UK in 2014 and now creates films, ideas and things that have purpose and are good for the world.
Preventing male suicide is a passion project. It’s also good for the world.
The documentary, simply called Steve, follows Ben’s journey as he channels his own grief to try and help all men understand and respect their mental health. He travels the UK, talking to Steve’s family, meeting health professionals in the industry, and finally, to meet ordinary men who are suffering – often in silence. Through this journey, he explores the solutions with people who are using their experiences to create positive change.
The film aims to help men (and their families) understand that it’s OK not to be OK, and to discuss how everyone can help themselves and others to be mentally fit.
The poster represents the thousands of men that the film’s makers hope Steve will help.
For the UK première on March 21 the venue, St Georges Hall in Bristol – aka, The George – is going to be renamed The Steve for one night. The film will then do a pub tour to reach the men and families who are most vulnerable.
For those in the UK, buy tickets here.
It plans to come to Sydney later this year.
Credits:
Director: Ben Akers
Producers: Claire Wilkinson & Neil Harrison
Editor: Sam Wilkie
Sound: Rumble Studios Sydney
Here is the background to the film:
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