Jonny Benjamin is a gay man and an activist for mental health issues. Benjamin has a YouTube Channel where he constantly posts videos talking about issues concerning mental health, anxiety, depression and being gay.
His latest video approaches the issue concerning gay men and mental health.
24% of gay men who participated at a recent survey revealed that they tried to commit suicide, while 54% said they had suicidal thoughts. The reason behind the suicidal thoughts and depression seems to be related to self-esteem as 70% of the participants revealed.
Jonny Benjamin wants to help gay men who lost self-esteem, take it back. In his video Benjamin talks about his vulnerabilities, admits that he’s not comfortable with certain aspects about himself, yet he fights not to be defeated by thoughts of depreciation.
“I want to do something to get men talking. 13 men take their own lives each day in UK but I know we can change this,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin added the results of the survey that revealed how gay men are more likely to get depressed.
“In a recent survey by Stonewall it was found that young gay men are 6 times more likely to self-harm or to take their own lives,” he said.
“This is extremely worrying and something that needs to be urgently addressed. Through my recent works in schools and prisons lots of men have told me they feel it’s difficult to show vulnerability.
“I made this latest video about my own vulnerabilities as a vehicle to hopefully help other men to open up and be less afraid of their insecurities,” he added.
“If it helps just one person then it is more than worth it.”
The video ends with a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson saying:
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you someone else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Check out video that proves that it is ok to be who you really are:
Source: youtube.com
