I had the balls to go to counselling!

A Leeds Met student has won a poster competition aimed at raising the awareness of mental health amongst young men.

John Barton, a second year Graphic Design student at our University was crowned the winner of the 'Big Boys Should Cry' campaign which was set up by the Leeds Met Students' Union.
The campaign aims to raise the awareness of the Leeds Met Counselling Service amongst young male students and to break down the stigma attached to men seeking counselling. The winning poster which was entitled "I had the balls to go to counselling" was chosen from a shortlist of 12 and will appear in around 25 participating bars and clubs regularly visited by male students.

Adam Burns, PR Officer for Leeds Metropolitan's Students' Union said: "Male students should not feel embarrassed about seeking counselling and this is what we hope John's poster will communicate to them. The counselling services is a fantastic outlet for people to share their problems however big or small and we want more male students to feel comfortable to do this rather than suffer in silence."

Counsellor at Leeds Met, Sue Dominey said: "It can be difficult to admit you are experiencing problems, feeling emotionallly upset and worried, if everyone else around you appears fine. Sometimes men wear a 'mask of cool' on the outside, which hides inner distress and vulnerablilty. I believe it is a sign of strength and courage for a man to ask for help."

Not only does John's poster become the face of the Big Boys Should Cry campaign, his prize also includes gig tickets for The Cockpit, a book on poster design from OK Comics and a gym membership.

John said: "I wanted my poster to be memorable and to really make a differeance to the lives of my fellow male students. I felt it was important to add a touch of humour, however. Behind the humour, the poster maintains a powerful underlining message that it takes guts and honesty to seek counselling