The Man Down Programme (MDP) was developed to help males or anyone who identifies as a male pronoun to have an honest and meaningful conversation about their mental well-being and experiences of distress or trauma.

The MDP aims to look at men primarily working in the music industry.  There has been a significant increase in male suicide rates in the UK with males under 45 making up three quarters of those who die by suicide. Tentative research suggests that males who work in the music, media, culture and sports industry struggle with low mood and fleeting thoughts of self-harm this has seen suicide increase by 20% in these industries. 

"The reason that I want to take part in the man down project and discussing mental health in the music industry (and in general) is that I want people to know they are not alone, it is okay to talk. I can understand the barriers that we will put up as individuals and people, all the self-doubt and loathing which often makes it more difficult to talk about your own problems but I think what we need to realise is that by speaking out you never know who you’re going to help. And in the long run that’s a lot better than worrying what anybody will think of you. Even if you just help one person that’s still one person who connected with what you’re saying. And the more of us that are talking your inevitably going to reach more people so don’t ever think you can’t make a difference"

- Billy Whizz (Dj/Producer)

 

The MDP will take a 2 pronged approach - 

In order to accurately reflect the lived experiences of men in this industry we are creating a short film whereby our contributors will talk about their own experiences as well as the methods they have used to stay well.

Through the MDP we aim to open up discussion, allow human emotion to be normalised but conversely look at the causation of distress. 
The aims are; 
• To talk AND listen.
• To normalise the feelings of distress and trauma in order to reduce the epidemic of ‘toxic masculinity’
• Learn to identify risk factors that may lead to self-harm and suicidal behaviours.
• Develop coping mechanisms and keeping safe tips.
• Consider how identity affects men/males in this industry.
• Signpost to relevant agencies and support networks.
• We will address masculinity, race, culture, identity and socio economic factors that have become common themes in contributing to narratives of male distress.

The MDP project is a non-profit organisation. We will deliver our training packages for free in the following settings;
Charities
Community groups
Non-profit organisations.
Youth Groups.
Schools/Colleges

We will deliver our package for a fee to the following;
Universities
The Music industry and other corporations.

In order for the project to be written and delivered with the lived experiences of the men we speak to, we decided that we should capture this on film, the logistics of getting artists and managers to each training session would be costly and problematic, therefore the film felt the most logical way of sharing their stories.

To write the training package is a huge undertaking. Initial deliveries of the package will be costly.

To create/film/travel/edit and produce the film is a huge undertaking.

To create brand that presents as professional is also huge.

Each person involved is a specialist in their field and whilst they are passionate they are all working freelance on this project and taking time away from other paid work.

We need help to start our project and get this valuable work up and running.

I wanted to get involved with “the man down project” to spread the word about male mental health in music. I myself have needed to take knee from time to time and I’m so happy there’s someone to turn to when it all falls down.

- DRS (MC/Vocalist)

*Please be aware, all pledge rewards ordered are preorders and will start being produced and fulfilled after the date of April 13th 2020 - This helps us to both fund the initiative and to have time to produce the rewards*