Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 🧠

Holly_Scope

Mental health is being discussed more now than ever before. It’s encouraging to see more people opening up about their mental health and educating ourselves to better understand and support one another.

Shining a supportive light on men’s mental health is particularly important, because men often don’t feel they can reach out for the support they need.

Picture caption: Things we need to normalise for men…

• Asking for help
• Going to therapy
• Sharing feelings
• Feeling emotions
• Being comforted

How can mental health such as depression effect men differently?

It’s important to understand that there are some differences between how mental health effects men and woman. Men are more likely to experience sudden anger or irritability as well as risk-taking or increased loss of control. Men might also use alcohol or drugs if they’re despressed rather than reaching out to talk.

Some sobering figures from the Office for National Statistics in 2023:

• There were 5,656 suicides, an increase of more than 372 than the year prior.
• The male suicide rate was 17.1% per 100,000. The female rate was 5.6%. That’s a staggering difference!
• It was found that males between 40 and 49 were found to have the highest suicide rate – 25.3% per 100,000.

There remains a stigma within Society about men’s mental health which continues to make it difficult for men and boys to reach out for support. Many men still feel like having a mental health condition is seen as a weakness and that they’re expected to hide their emotions, “man up”, and be strong for others around them.

It’s important we all continue to challenge the ongoing stigma that men don’t require mental health support. Be a safe space for the men in your life to talk openly about their mental health, and if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concerns, you are not alone and there are places you can reach out to for support. That might be a family member or friend. There are also organisations you can turn to for support. I’ve listed a few below:

• Mind
• NHS - Where to get urgent help for mental health
• TOUGH TO TALK

Santosha12

Thank you for highlighting this @Holly_Scope and the absolutely tragic statistics, each of which represent a real person. It is just heartbreaking.

I hope it's ok I've just added the following support organisations too.

PAPYRUS For children and young adults, under 35, who have suicidal thoughts. They also help anyone who is concerned about a young person's suicide risk. They're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all Weekends and Bank Holidays. Tel: 0800 068 4141.

(People may know of Papyrus from '3 Dad's walking' who each tragically lost their daughters to suicide and continue to be amazing in their support and commitment to PAPYRUS with their dedicated fundraising).

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Helpline Tel: 0800 585858 Everyday from 5pm to Midnight. For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, for anybody who has lost someone to suicide or is worried about someone's risk of suicide.

SANELINE Tel: 0300 304 7000 Every day of the year 4pm to 10pm. For GB and Northern Ireland.

Finally, There's 'Men in Sheds' with locations all over the country www.menssheds.org.uk can go just for tea and banter, practical hobbies, making friends or learning new skills.

And of course, Samaritans, Tel: 116123 24 hours a day, Every day of the year.

I hope that anyone considering suicide, or who is concerned about somebody at risk, will ring to get support - everyone who is at the end of the 'phone want to be their to help, and to listen.

Whether distressed, or feeling desperately like there's no point, or no hope, well telling somebody can provide an immediate lifeline and bring a glimmer of hope and light, where before there may have been none.

Finally, for anyone who feels in immediate danger and doesn't want to speak on the 'phone, go to your nearest Hospital or police station.

With love.

Holly_Scope

@Santosha12 of course, thank you so much putting these together and sharing them. 💙

Rosie_Scope

Thanks for writing this @Holly_Scope, it's a really important topic.

Another resource for anyone who's struggling is Andy's Man Club:

ANDYSMANCLUB - It's Okay To Talk

They run volunteer-led support groups for men across the country, no pressure to talk if you don't want to, just non-clinical support for anyone who needs it.

Santosha12

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1040782#Comment_1040782

You're welcome it's no trouble at all and thank you ❣️💜.

older01

I just want any man reading this who might be struggling with his mental health to know that it’s human. We’re all wired very differently, and men are taught as boys that it’s somehow weak to admit that they’re not coping. But I know some very Brave men who have opened a workshop for this topic.
Far too often, men feel like they have to be the breadwinners of the family. The one who holds everyone around them in place. This can be so heavy. Too heavy sometimes, and it takes a really brave man to say I’m not coping with this. More and more places are shooting up now ‘finally’ to help men both young and old struggling to come to terms with something in their lives.

Even if you don’t want to talk, there’s podcasts for men’s mental health by men.
Find what works for you personally 💚💚💙💙

Santosha12

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1040936#Comment_1040936

Just love your post; so important that you've highlighted, so well too, how everyone is unique and what help may look like for them. One size doesn't fit all I often say.

For anyone around the central Manchester area, a mental health charity, Moodswings (Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm 0161 832 3736) offer not only a Helpline but 'Mindful Meet-ups'.

In their words, some don't want to talk so 'to take your mind off your mind' they offered all sorts of activities including Creative writing, Drama, Embroidery, Walk & Talk etc.

Grumpy1314

I’m kind of just keeping myself to myself 😒 I’ve kind of accepted both my mental and physical health will never be what it was. But I’ll admit I’m struggling every minute of the day, I’ve closed the door on everyone I’ve had in my life and locked the door. I’ve barely spoken to the mental health team since last month, I’ve not rang a crisis line as I’m just fed up of the line - we are here to listen! I’ve been on the waiting list for a Social Prescriber and Private Counselling since the end of October. I’m on the waiting list for Psychiatry - which I expect to wait the next fifty years! I’ve become since my wife turned the lights off and slammed the door to our marriage in 2023 - cold hearted, lost faith in the world, everything is black and white, no confidence, a strong distrust in people, I don’t leave my flat unless it’s for a medical appointment and in all honesty I’ve become just someone who doesn’t speak! I don’t acknowledge my flat as my home, I see it as my prison! I’ve made poor choices, decisions and acted in a way that I’ve not been able to control my emotions or behaviour - tantamount to leaving endless people with mental scars, anger towards me, disappointment and distrust.

The only person I’m accountable to now is me and frankly I’m just counting down the days until my clock runs out.

Albus_Scope

Hey @Grumpy1314 it's nice to see you again. I'm sorry to hear you've not managed to speak to the mental health team. Is that by choice?

I've popped you a little email, please be on the lookout for it. ❤️

Grumpy1314

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1041989#Comment_1041989

Morning Albus,

I guess it’s just kind of me waiting for them to ring me as I just don’t want to rehash the same call each time I ring. I’m having a quiet morning, sadly my stomach has chosen to flare up which isn’t good, just rang the hospital to chase up an appointment I’m expecting. Gets you down when the food you eat is such a narrow tolerance to say the least. I’m keeping myself safe by remaining inside my flat, I don’t feel confident or safe going out and about.