Big Boys Don’t Cry, directed by Blake Friedmann client Gray Hughes, follows England Rugby forward Joe Marler as he discusses his own struggles and learns new methods of managing mental wellbeing
The documentary first aired at 4pm on Sky Sports Arena on Wednesday 14th May – Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK – follows Marler as he travels the UK to open up conversation around mental health challenges and to learn about how people manage with their mental wellbeing, taking the plunge in freshwater swimming and getting involved in singing in a choir along the way.
Recently the England and Harlequins player has spoken about his battles with mental health during his private live and his time playing rugby on the international stage.
Marler also explained his thoughts behind making the hour-long documentary Boys Don’t Cry, “I wanted to meet people who, like me, had gone down their own mental health ‘rabbit holes’. I wanted to hear about how they found their own ways of getting out of them and gain a better understanding of how mental health issues affect us all.
“I hope that talking about my own mental health will get others talking about theirs and help to normalise it, especially in an alpha male-dominated sport like rugby. We are required to dominate and intimidate opposing players when we cross the white line on the pitch, we must show no weakness or vulnerability in order to win. But it doesn’t have to be like that off the pitch. I want to help spread the message that many others have done already that it’s okay not to be okay. And help people find the right tools to cope.”