One from our collab with Liverpool rapper Degie, on release of his tune 'Stressed Lad'...‘I know you don’t wanna talk, but when you do - i’m ready’
getting the support right for our mates who aren’t giving anything back is so tough - here are 5 things to consider.
5 Ways to Support Silent Mates
Practical, evidence-backed ways to show up for a mate who's gone quiet — because knowing what to do matters as much as knowing something's wrong.
Fancy reading up on it? Nothing in this campaign is guesswork. Here's what backs each part of it:
Keep him in the loop — men's sense of having support drops fastest exactly when they're most distressed, which is why it can't be left to him to ask. → Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being (2026)
Something is better than nothing — even brief, low-key contact measurably boosts mood and belonging, not just deep conversations. → Sandstrom & Dunn — The Power of Weak Ties
Start with your time, not solutions — the closer we are to someone, the more likely we are to jump in with unsolicited advice instead of listening. → Feng (2015) — Relationship closeness and unsolicited advice giving
Check the basics — changes in sleep, eating and drinking are named, specific warning signs, not just a rough patch. → SPRC — Warning Signs of Suicide
Know when to escalate — knowing your limits and pointing toward professional help is a core step in gatekeeper training, not a failure to cope. → SPRC — QPR Gatekeeper Training