– Boys’ mental health has come into the shadows a bit. It’s harder for us to open up about things than it is for the girls. So it’s good that we get to talk about it, says ninth grader Heidar Sjølie. It is four days into the first school week after the summer for the students at Averøy secondary school. On this day, all the boys are taken out of the classroom, to meet wrestler Felix Baldauf and his friend Even Karpuz, who has the concept of “Brother”. They will give a lecture on men’s mental health. It makes a clear impression on the students, who sit completely calmly in the hall and listen. – It is important that they come and talk about it, says Sjølie. There is silence and full concentration in the hall during the lecture by Felix Baldauf and Even Karpuz. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news – We have feelings too After the lecture, the boys flock to the famous wrestler. He thanks someone. – I think it was good and instructive. We learned that there are many men and boys who have psychological problems – that it is not just the girls, who show it the most, who have it. That’s what tenth grader Ole Martin Åstasund Ramsøy says. He also believes that there is something extra special about Baldauf fronting the theme. Ole Martin Åstasund Ramsøy, Heidar Sjølie and Peder Fredly Bøe are grateful that their mental health is taken seriously. – It’s very good that they think about us boys, that we have feelings too – not just the girls, says Bøe. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news – When it is also he who shows that boys have feelings – then you become extra confident. You see that everyone can have it, even if you are big and strong, says Ramsøy. Ninth grader Peder Fredly Bøe is very pleased that his school takes the boys seriously. – At the lecture, they said, among other things, that more boys commit suicide, so it is very important. Felix Baldauf says that several of the boys came over and were happy that they gave the lecture. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Baldauf says that there was complete attention throughout the lecture. – It is clear that it affects many and that it is important to many, he says and continues: – We are incredibly happy that Averøya has prioritized preventive work with mental health. We are glad we could come here and talk about our experiences, says Baldauf. – The school is designed for girls. Two of the people who have pushed for this to happen are municipal psychologist Hektor Hovgaard and public health nurse Tonje Ormset. They have noticed that the boys find it more difficult to come and talk to them, and are therefore trying other measures to get the boys to open up more. Municipal psychologist Hektor Hovgaard and public health nurse Tonje Ormset say boys’ mental health has been an area of focus in recent years – and that they have noticed an increase in boys making contact as well. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news – Boys are not born with greater difficulties than girls in talking about feelings. I think it’s more society that makes it difficult for them. That is why it is important that we who work in arenas where boys are, make arrangements for them to feel safe enough to share, says Ormset. In recent years, they have worked hard to reach out to the boys, and have had a wish for an event where a good role model would come and tell their story. – And Felix appears as a good role model, especially compared to many others who are on social media, for example. We have, among others, Andrew Tate – Felix is a contradiction, says the public health nurse. Public health nurse Tonje Ormset says it is important that the boys meet good role models they can identify with. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news She hopes this event will make more of the boys feel safe, and that it will resonate with them. – The school is so organized for girls, so the fact that we create a separate scheme for boys – I think that’s cool. There’s not that much of it. The fact that the boys can feel that this is special for them and arranged for them, I hope, makes them dare to be more open. Other measures the municipality is taking The municipal psychologist and health nurse spend a total of four days a week at the secondary school. Robust Youth. They are also now passing this on to Robuste Barn. A public health and life management programme. Parent guidance groups, also called ICDP. Eventually, they will also have a course in “Newborn observation” at the health centre. A separate mental health care team for children, young people and families. Investing in environmental therapists in schools. The municipalities in Møre and Romsdal are working on a collaboration project with the specialist health service, which will function as a map of the services offered. Will continue with the investment Mayor Ingrid Rangønes (Ap) says this is a major investment area for the municipality. – Prevention, in relation to children and young people, is one of the most important things a municipality can do. It has a lot to say for the individual, and for us as a local community. We want each individual to be able to live and flourish as they are meant to. Mayor of Averøy municipality, Ingrid Rangønes, says this is an area she is passionate about and wants to focus on. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news And she pays tribute to Ormset and Hovgaard, among others, for the municipality making it happen. – They are gold. They are so close to the young people, and meet them in a good and safe way. The municipality will continue to invest in mental health in the future, she says – if she is re-elected as mayor this autumn. Heidar Sjølie, Ole Martin Åstasund Ramsøy and Peder Fredly Bøe hope the school will continue to have boys’ mental health on the agenda. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news The boys hope that the school will continue with lectures like this – and in particular the focus they have on boys’ mental health will continue. – I think it is very good. There are many young men and young people who are struggling. Here we were told that it is important to talk about it, and that there are people to talk to, says Bøe. Ramsøy is also satisfied with the investment by the school and the municipality. – I hope they continue with it, and get what may have been a bit in the shadows out of the shadows, he says.
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Averøy municipality focuses on mental health
