Channel 4, CALM and Student Minds to host a special screening and Q&A in London for the finale of Big Boys on University Mental Health Day on 13 March 2025

• 1 in 4 students would not know where to get mental health support at their university if they needed it (Student Minds, 2023)
• 30% of students said their mental health has got worse since starting university

Channel 4 is hosting a special event in London of Big Boys on 13 March 2025 for University Mental Health Day, working with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and student mental health charity Student Minds to raise awareness of the support available to students across the UK.

The special screening and Q&A will centre around the themes raised in the finale episodes of the final series of the critically acclaimed hit comedy Big Boys and will signpost resources available with the aim of improving the statistic from Student Mind’s 2023 research that 1 in 4 students would not know where to get mental health support at their university if they needed it.

Following the screening of the final two episodes from the series, BAFTA-winning writer and creator Jack Rooke with be joined by actors Jon Pointing (Danny) and Katy Wix (Jules), moderated by award winning broadcaster Clara Amfo, to discuss the issues in the final episodes and Jack’s ongoing work as a CALM ambassador.  This will be followed by a Q&A with Dr Dom Thompson, multi-award-winning GP, young person’s mental health expert and Clinical Advisor to NICE and Student Minds; a student ambassador; and Simon Gunning CEO of CALM.  The conversation will signpost to the resources; CALM’s C.A.R.E Kit and Student Mind’s  support available for students on Student Space.

Produced by Roughcut TV, Big Boys returned for its third and final series in February 2024 and is available to stream on Channel 4. This series sees our gang (Jack, Danny, Corinne, and Yemi) enter their final year at Brent Uni, with all the ups and downs of dissertations, deadlines, dating and the devastating departure of Louis Walsh from The X-Factor (for Jack anyway!). Peggy and Shannon embark on new romances and never-ending nappy changes, whilst Jack and Danny’s friendship is tested to its limits as they realise proper adult life is coming. Will the boys still choose each other like before, or will this be the end of the road?

Jack Rooke, writer and creator says: “I was first affected by a suicide 10 years ago this March. I know all too well how painful it is to live in the injustice of it, with the internal rigmarole of what-ifs and the low level feelings of guilt that affect those bereaved. And it has been my ambition for a decade now to try and write something about suicide which is somehow comforting, funny and optimistic for those left behind. I truly hope our finale of Big Boys does that, and in collaboration with CALM and Student Minds, we want to create a space to discuss how we best support those who are supporting someone else. That’s vital for me and I’m honoured Channel 4 can help put a spotlight on the organisations and charities who are actually making it better, and encouraging those struggling to wait and see how life can be different and how life will always be the better choice.”

Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy, Channel 4 comments: “Big Boys is a beautiful example of the power comedy has to connect with people and spark conversations around topics we sometimes find hard to talk about. It feels additionally powerful to be working with CALM, Student Minds, and Jack on this event to raise awareness around the support that’s available and encourage people to make mental health a priority.”

Simon Gunning, CEO, Campaign Against Living Miserably says: “It’s been a privilege to have Jack in the CALM family for over a decade as an Ambassador. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen suicide portrayed as well before - it’s one of the most human, compelling and responsible portrayals of a subject so mired in stigma to ever reach our screens. At CALM, everything we do is aimed at tackling the stigma around suicide, because we know talking about it really does save lives. I’ve no doubt that the impact of Big Boys on people struggling, and everyone who has the power to help those struggling, is about as far reaching and important as it gets. The final episode of Big Boys shows so clearly that the future CAN be better than the present and there’s always a reason to stay.”

Rosie Tressler OBE, CEO, Student Minds says: “University life can be hard. Many students will experience challenges and changes to their mental health but we know that often, they don’t know where to go to find support. At Student Minds, we are working hard to change this. It is great to see the experiences of university students demonstrated in such a real and powerful way in Big Boys. With almost 3 million students in the UK, we need to see more media reflecting this. The themes and experiences highlighted - from making friends, coming out, managing grief and meeting the challenge of life after university - mirror the experience for students right now. Jack writes the show with humour but also manages to demonstrate some difficult topics such as suicide, grief and coming out beautifully.

“The series finale also reminds us that support from staff, students and mental health services can help people to recover, even when they may feel hopeless. We want to remind students that help is available - please reach out to your university, a friend or someone you trust if things are feeling too hard. We also share tips, videos and support on Student Space to help you navigate the uncertainty and challenges of university life. You don’t have to struggle alone.”

Big Boys is created and written by Jack Rooke, executive produced by Jack Rooke, Jim Archer, Ash Atalla and Alex Smith for Roughcut TV, directed by Jim Archer and produced by Bertie Peek. It was commissioned for Channel 4 by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy and Joe Hullait, Commissioning Executive for Comedy.

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For further information about the event being held for University Mental Health Day or to interview the CALM and Student Minds experts please contact:

Mark Pitchford / MPitchford@channel4.co.uk 

If you would like to attend the event please email:

events@channel4.co.uk

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer. 

 The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

 With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country. 

 In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market.

 From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.

 Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.

About Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention charity fighting to reduce the devastating impact of suicide in the UK. They run a life-saving helpline for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. It’s free, anonymous and open from 5pm to midnight every day.

Their website has loads of tools and resources packed with practical, non-clinical advice to make talking and managing mental health easier.

CALM also run vital campaigns to increase awareness, smash stereotypes, and change the culture around mental health and suicide. 

About Student Minds

Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity. We have a clear mission - no student should be held back by their mental health. We empower students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond. We challenge the higher education sector, health sector, and government to make student mental health a priority. 

Student Space, run by Student Minds is here to support students through the uncertainties of student life with advice, videos, student stories and support on topics such as mental health and wellbeing, studying, friendships and grief. 

We also run the University Mental Health Charter and Train the Trainer Programmes including Look After Your Mate to ensure whole-university approaches to mental health and wellbeing and that staff have the knowledge, confidence and skills to run sessions and support students on their campuses. 

Together, we’re improving university communities so that every student gets the mental health support they need to reach their goals.