News / Wellbeing
Breaking the stigma around men’s mental health in the gym
A new documentary explores how young men are combatting mental health struggles by training at the gym late at night.
Alfie Dickens, a filmmaker and master’s student at the University of Bristol, teamed up with his friend, Dishala Perera, to create the film The Anthology of the Night.
The pair spent evenings visiting a gym to speak to the men who are building their physical fitness to improve their emotional strength.
They hope the film can help break down stigma around men’s mental health.
The short film is supported by Changes Bristol and Bristol Mind
While making the documentary, Alfie and Dishala found that all the gym users, though mainly working out alone, shared similar experiences and issues with their mental health.
“The more we talked to people, the more we realised the struggles are universal,” said Alfie.
The director told Bristol24/7 how the film is inspired by his own mental health struggles and the way the gym became a crucial coping mechanism for him.
Looking back, Alfie said: “I became very conscious on my journey of recovery of just how many self-help videos were available online from psychologists, billionaires and professors.
“But I wondered what advice the everyday guy on the street might give someone going through such a universal experience and I wanted to use my skills as a filmmaker to help the next person, creating the documentary needed to see back then.
“Therefore, in many ways, interviewing these men has helped me grow and recover just as much as I hope it helps other people.”
A new documentary explores how young men are combatting mental health struggles by training at the gym
It is hoped that the documentary will show viewers just how similar their thoughts, feelings and anxieties are.
Alfie said: “With one suicide every 90 minutes in the UK and 75 per cent of these being male, we hope this documentary can help those struggling with their mental health to realise that they are not alone.
“These men share not just their struggles but advice on how to overcome tough times in the hopes that their words can save the next guy.”
The film is being released in support of Talk Club, a men’s mental health charity helping to raise men’s “mental fitness”.
The documentary will be available to watch on November 30 here.
All photos: Alfie Dickens
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