An incident of a father leaving home due to depression has sparked a call for more awareness and acceptance towards men asking for help due to mental health issues.
A concerned son took to social media to ask for assistance as his father went missing. “No one saw him at work, too,” the son said.
Twitter user @xshawnshadowsx posted on June 13 that his father had been missing for two days, leaving their family worried.
“Dad’s diabetic and not feeling in tip-top shape,” said the son. He included his contact details in case a member of the public had any leads.
The Singapore Police force also posted an appeal for information on the whereabouts of 56-year-old Mr James Philip Gilbert, who was last seen in the vicinity of Block 188C Rivervale Drive on June 12.
Netizens commented some tips on Shawn’s post, such as tracking his dad’s phone; however, he said it was turned off. They also advised checking with nearby hospitals or churches.
Although social media has proven quite helpful in tracking or identifying lost individuals, not everyone was on the same page. Shawn soon received troll messages, like many ducks.
“It’s the hope that kills you. Someone texted me that they saw my dad, but they have yet to reply. Mate, please,” he said in another tweet.
“Why do people do this? I’ve lost my father, and I’m looking for him, and this is what I get?” he asked.
Fortunately, Shawn revealed in another tweet on June 14 that his father had come home. “He’s apparently incredibly depressed, and he needed to take a break and will be.”
“If this isn’t an ad for Male Mental Health month, I don’t know what is,” said Shawn, who shared he, too, suffered from nine mental illnesses.
“Let’s work together, so men aren’t afraid of asking for help, please,” he added./TISG
HE'S HOME!
he's apparently incredibly depressed and he needed to take a break and will be
if this isn't an ad for Male Mental Health month idk what is
I suffer from 9 MIs and it seems my father has depression too
let's work tgt so men aren't afraid of asking for help please https://t.co/OZ3jM807as
— constantine (@xshawnshadowsx) June 14, 2022
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