Ola Hoftun Lillelien advocates for mental health awareness and anti-bullying in Norway

Ola Hoftun Lillelien, captain of the Drammen Handball Club, has publicly come out as gay and is now sharing his experiences of bullying, exclusion, and mental health challenges with youth. Together with a few teammates, Lillelien visits schools to support young people facing mental health issues, earning praise for his openness. He urges young people to reflect before making comments that could harm others and encourages them to stand up against bullying.

Lillelien believes that sharing personal experiences serves as a form of therapy, and he notices that his narrative prompts youth to think about how they treat others. October 10 marks World Mental Health Day, themed around the importance of human connection. Anura Sankholkar, the campaign leader for the day, encourages everyone to dedicate eight minutes daily to call someone they care about to boost mental health.

“It’s crucial to think about what you say. One comment can be the tipping point for someone struggling with their life,” explains Lillelien, reflecting on his own childhood and adult life experiences. He acknowledges that while his journey in handball has been fulfilling, personal struggles have persisted.

He emphasizes the danger of harmful speech and the impact it can have, stating it only takes a minute to make someone’s day better, while just a single word can ruin it. The captain encourages peer support and says that if one witnesses bullying, it’s essential to take a stand.

Lillelien’s efforts aim to prevent exclusion and mental health issues among the youth, with the message that being kind is more important than fitting in.