Mental health is a significant topic all year round; however, November is the month that we shift our focus on mental health awareness and support for men, but it should not be limited to being in focus for one month only. We should make it a priority all year.
What does mental health mean?
Mental health is the term we use to describe an individual's emotional, psychological and social well-being. Being mentally healthy means we have the ability to make healthy choices and interact socially with others. Just as we take care of our physical health, we need to prioritise our mental health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community”. Mental illness is the term to describe the conditions that have an effect on individuals' behaviours, moods and can impact their ability to function in their daily lives.
Experiencing poor mental health can happen to anyone of any gender at any time, but for this post, we take the time to raise awareness for men’s mental health concerns. This is an important awareness movement, as men often experience societal expectations of displaying their masculinity, which can lead to fewer men being comfortable discussing their emotions and feelings. This can be detrimental as some men may be experiencing distressing or severe mental health concerns, but feel unable to speak to their friends or family.
When discussing men’s mental health, the term toxic masculinity may crop up often. This term describes the concept that refers to the socially destructive aspects of masculinity, which can sometimes include misogyny, homophobia and violence, but is often viewed as being tough, anti-feminine and powerful. These factors can affect mental health, as the expectation to be viewed as tough may lead to men not expressing their true emotions, as they want to be viewed as emotionally hardened or told to “man up” or “suck it up”. The aversion to ‘feminine traits’ can also restrict sharing emotions as well as receiving help for emotional issues. Some men may fear that displays of emotion may lead to them being judged.
The term “man up” can have some negative connotations; however, the charity MANUP? is hoping to rebrand the phrase while raising awareness for mental health among men. They aim to make a change in the world of men’s mental health by having the awkward conversations about mental health and hopefully reducing the stigma surrounding this area.
Why is it important?
As previously mentioned, it can sometimes be more difficult for some men to access and discuss the support they need when it comes to their mental health. A survey conducted on 1,000 men in the UK found that 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health. This is a shocking statistic considering 77% of those respondents report they have suffered the symptoms related to common mental health conditions. They provided some reasoning behind this; 29% stated that they are too embarrassed to speak about it, with 20% reporting that there is a negative stigma to discussing mental health. Another shocking result of this survey is that 40% of men said it would take suicidal thoughts or self-harm for them to consider getting professional help. This is saddening, as we hope men would access support and resources before they reach this point.
This kind of awareness is extremely important; we want all men to know they can talk about any mental health concerns, and there are people and services that are here to help. This is important work as the rate of suicide is highest among men, with 77% of all suicides being men.
How can I spot mental health concerns and support others?
While everyone is different and will experience mental health concerns in various ways, here are some common signs to look out for. If you notice someone close to you experiencing these symptoms, maybe consider offering support or reassuring them that you are there to talk to.
Sense of worry
Overwhelming sadness
Withdrawal from friends and family
Difficulty concentrating
Tiredness and fatigue
Headaches
Shortness of breath
Substance abuse
Anger
Working obsessively
Sleep issues
Reckless behaviour
If you think someone close to you is experiencing a mental health issue, try to encourage them to talk about it and ensure you are willing and happy to listen to them, creating a judgment-free zone. You can be there for them in various ways, from making plans to hang out or simply sending them a message to make them smile. For more information about how to be there for someone experiencing a crisis, visit the CALM website.
How can I support my mental health?
Remember, you are not alone! Talking about your mental health is not weak; it can be hard at times, but it is extremely beneficial. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin. Firstly, getting an understanding of mental health issues and potential conditions can help, as well as investigating what support is available to you in your local area. If you require professional support, contact your GP or access mental health helplines. As it can be hard to start talking about mental health, try speaking to a close friend or family member first. You can take it slow and just discuss how you feel.
If you need mental health support:
Shout or text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer.
Mind or call 03001021234 to access the support line
Useful Resources
ANDYSMANCLUB: a suicide prevention charity that offers free support groups online and in the UK. https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
ManHealth: a voluntary organisation that offers weekly peer support groups, workplace training, as well as fundraising. https://www.manhealth.org.uk/
MentalHealthyFit: this website provides educational resources for workplaces and communities and signposts to free therapy. https://mentalhealthyfit.org/free-therapy
Priory Group: includes information on how to begin supporting your mental health, coping strategies and how to spot the signs. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health
MenLiving: weekly virtual meetings to connect with others, email newsletters, as well as podcast episodes. https://menliving.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsy5BhDeARIsABRc6ZvSM304J_CEVXzuN9hrAF2tQOMOWKvFKRTeTQVsIEzPbSxb-387zaAaAvEuEALw_wcB
Heads Up Guys: provide resources for men’s mental health https://headsupguys.org/mental-health-screening-tools/depression-check/
Good Causes to Support
Simply click on the link in the name to access these good causes that are supporting men's mental health. This is not a complete list of everything out there. If you have a good cause you would like to highlight here, let us know!
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES. Mental health is as important as physical health. If you need urgent help, do not delay.
References
Foss, K. (2022, November 14). What is Toxic Masculinity and How it Impacts Mental Health. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/what-toxic-masculinity-and-how-it-impacts-mental
Mental Health UK. (n.d.). Men's mental health. Mental Health UK. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://mentalhealth-uk.org/mens-mental-health/
Samaritans. (2023). Suicides in England. https://media.samaritans.org/documents/Samaritans_-_Suicide_Stats_England_2023.pdf
A science-based method helping thousands of men last longer, feel confident, and enjoy sex again.
We just sent the trial link to your email.
Still waiting? Peek inside promotions or spam folders—the link should arrive shortly.