The founder of a community group focused on men’s mental health and masculinity is urging fathers to speak out about their feelings. Dan Flanagan, from Worthing’s Dad La Soul, highlighted the urgency of sharing the struggles of male caregivers as suicide rates among men in the UK continue to rise, with 84 men taking their own lives each week.
Speaking at a recent TED Talks event, which was streamed to a potential global audience of 40 million, Flanagan emphasized the silent dangers of loneliness and lack of support. He stressed that these issues can be just as deadly as physical threats.
In the wake of the popular Netflix series Adolescence, Dad La Soul has also raised concerns about the influence of misogynistic online figures. Flanagan explained, “It’s hard being a bloke sometimes, so you want to know that if you ask for help, people will listen.”
Flanagan, who was inspired by his own father’s challenges as a single parent, founded Dad La Soul eight years ago after organizing a small “play date at a friend’s office.” What started with just 14 dads and their children attending beat-box battles and soft play events has now grown into a thriving community of 4,000 members.
The group has supported dads in various difficult situations. Flanagan shared the stories of fathers who feel guilty for missing bedtime stories due to work, those fighting legal battles to see their children, and even those facing societal judgment as gay fathers or struggling with homelessness.
“There are dads who seem to have it all together, but when asked the right questions, they admit they don’t know how to carry on,” he said.
To support these men, Dad La Soul hosts events and campaigns to create social connections for those who might otherwise face isolation. The group has also received substantial funding from the National Lottery and Comic Relief to support its efforts.
Paul Tyldesley, a volunteer with Dad La Soul, added, “Young men need culture and connection. They’re asking who they are and where they belong in society. That’s when figures like Andrew Tate step in to fill the void.” He urged society to recognize young men as a disadvantaged group in need of support and guidance.
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