Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

What is men’s mental health awareness month?

• A month where we support men’s mental health, however men need your support all year around, not just one month. As men’s mental health remains a concern throughout the year.
• Known as Movember as men grow Mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health conditions. Such as mental health conditions, prostate, and testicular cancer.
• It is reported many men do not reach out for the support they need, highlighting the importance of men’s mental health awareness month to bring attention to men’s mental health and offer support.

Statistics

• World Health Organisation states one in four people in the world will be affected by mental health problems or neurological disorders at some point in their lives
• Globally, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, and men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.

Understanding the concerns of men’s mental health

• There is a stigma around men’s mental health, making it difficult for men and boys to reach out for help. It is reported that people expect men to man up, be a real man and hide their emotions, or be strong for others.
• It can be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of masculinity among some men. Which is not the case, it is not a weakness.
• Men who do not speak openly about their emotions are less able to recognise symptoms of mental health problems in themselves. And are less likely to reach out for support, which can lead to harmful coping method such as using alcohol and drugs.

How we can help?

• You can hold an event to raise awareness and money for a mental health charity or organisation such as mental health foundation, Mind or Campaign Against Living Miserably etc.
• It is important to listen to the men in your life who reach out to you and to remind them you are there for them.

REMEMBER

‘A man is NOT weak if he is struggling. They experience sadness, disappointments, pain, and many other feelings. He’s a Man! And he’s allowed to have and show his true feelings without feeling less then. Learn to be compassionate, loving, supportive, and understanding. There’s NOTHING wrong with a man being vulnerable’.

CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES, BREAK THE SILENCE, AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO NEED IT, SO NO ONE FACES THEIR CHALLENGES ALONE!!