WHETHER it’s your father, stepfather, partner, brother or friend, today the goal is to celebrate the father figures in our lives.
Cards and gifts will be torn up and families will come together to praise and love the men who are by their side.
But think of Will Castle, Stevie Scott, Harry Cleary and the families of more than 2,500 men who die prematurely in the UK every week.
For them, Father’s Day is an unpredictable rollercoaster of emotions that are reflected in the huge father-shaped holes left in their lives.
That’s why they’ve joined forces with leading charity Movember.
Their heartfelt stories feature on three of the seven Father’s Day greeting cards created by the charity.
Its aim is to encourage more open conversations about physical and mental health – to help prevent other families from facing a tragic loss.
Movember boss Michelle Terry says: “There has long been a misconception and stigma around men’s health that stops people seeking help when it’s needed.
“And at a time when men’s health is suffering a worrying decline amid economic and social unrest, urgent collective action is needed to make men’s health a national priority.
“The next government must put this issue front and center in its plans if we are to halt the unacceptable decline.”
Here, Will, Stevie and Harry bravely share their stories to help others.
‘I wish I had answered the phone’
WILL CASTLE’S father, Paul, was 54 when he committed suicide in November 2010.
The 35-year-old company director, from Whetstone, North West London, says Father’s Day has changed its meaning since he himself became a father in 2018.
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Will’s father was not present for much of his son’s childhood, but they grew closer after the boy’s seventh birthday.
Will says, “He was the kind of dad who had kids to be friends with, and when I was old enough to like cars and other things he loved, we became incredibly close.”
Paul experienced some financial difficulties in 2010, which led him to take his life.
Will says: “I missed a call from my dad the morning he died. I tried to catch him all morning, but the thought of suicide never crossed my mind.”
After hearing that a tube line had been suspended because of a body on the tracks, Will contacted the British Transport Police.
He says: “They confirmed it was Dad. I asked which hospital he was in and they told me that there was no hospital, that he was dead. I vomited and screamed.
“Dad was warm, loving and approachable, but he was old school – you couldn’t cry in front of him, let alone talk about emotions. I would have given anything for my father to tell me he was having a hard time.
“I wish I had answered the phone that morning too.
“I will never know what he would say.
“If anyone is reading this and feeling isolated, please reach out. There’s a lot of support out there.”
You are not alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It does not discriminate, affecting the lives of people in all corners of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality TV stars and football players.
It is the biggest cause of death for people under 35, deadlier than cancer and car accidents.
And men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
Yet it is rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and pay attention, now.
That’s why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our part to help save lives.
Let’s all promise to ask for help when we need it and listen to others… You are not alone.
If you, or someone you know, needs help dealing with mental health issues, the following organizations will provide support:
‘Feel close to him when I run’
HARRY CLEARY, 26, from Clapham, south London, was 24 when he lost his father Graham to ill health in February 2023, after a lifetime of his father battling drink and drug addiction.
Harry, a fundraising officer for Movember, says: “Dad was my hero and he was just 56 when he died.
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“We never had a normal Father’s Day – it was always difficult with the father’s addictions.
“At age 15, I began to discover he was a high-functioning addict.
“He ran his own business, but he was in rehab and going to AA meetings.
“When his addictions ended his life, there was a huge sense of shock. That came along with a sense of relief too – he spent my whole life suffering and fighting and was finally at peace.”
Harry began running to deal with his grief, raising money for Movember.
He says: “I went from 5km to ultramarathons. In November last year, I did four 56k ultras – I chose the distance because that was how old my dad was when he died. I feel close to Dad when I run.
“Losing my father made me realize that being a father is the most important job in the world.
“Father’s Day is very different for me now. I would give anything to have Dad back.”
‘He took a long time to go to the doctor
STEVIE SCOTT, 20, a nursing student from Nottingham, lost his father, Simon, in 2019, aged just 60, to prostate cancer.
She says: “Dad was a sales manager and, despite being unwell in 2011, he had a big project at work so he delayed going to the doctor.
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“When he finally went, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
Stevie was seven at the time and says: “I don’t remember my father being completely healthy, I only remember the illness. He really struggled over the years.
“He was undergoing chemotherapy and was very sick, but he tried very hard and hid a lot from us. He was also the best father – he lived for his family.
“Six months before he died, he was told there was nothing more that could be done. We didn’t talk about him not being around when he was alive because he wanted to stay positive.
“I wasn’t with him when he passed away peacefully in hospice, but I miss him every day.”
Stevie, who was 15 when her father died, says: “Father’s Day is hard every year. We spent time with my grandfather and we all talked about Dad.
“I know men are getting better at talking about their mental health, but they also need to take care of their physical health.”
Movember: Get involved
Visit uk.movember.com to support Movember projects by donating or taking part in a fundraiser. You can also find helpful resources for men’s health.
- Text the Shout Crisis line to 85258 if you are struggling to cope and need immediate help.
- CALL CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) free on 0800 585858 to chat confidentially at any time.
- IF you are concerned that someone’s life may be in danger, call 999 immediately.
- CHECK your prostate cancer risk in 30 seconds on the prostate canceruk.org/risk-checker.
- CHECK your testicles every month for lumps, swelling, change in size, soreness, soreness, or changes in the skin.
You are not alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It does not discriminate, affecting the lives of people in all corners of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality TV stars and football players.
It is the biggest cause of death for people under 35, deadlier than cancer and car accidents.
And men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
Yet it is rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and pay attention, now.
That’s why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our part to help save lives.
Let’s all promise to ask for help when we need it and listen to others… You are not alone.
If you, or someone you know, needs help dealing with mental health issues, the following organizations will provide support:
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
