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Let's talk men's health this Movember
Ross_Scope
Community Team Posts: 2,373 Disability Gamechanger
"Men are dying too young. We can't afford to stay silent."
And stay silent we shall not! It's Movember, a movement which has been going since 2003 that encourages people to come together to highlight the health crisis being faced by men worldwide. Why is Movember so important?
It's been a challenging year and now more than ever it's important to recognise the struggles we have all been through, particularly isolation and loneliness throughout the pandemic, which have obviously been faced by everyone, not just men. Research suggests that on average, men are dying six years younger than women and the Movember movement aims to raise awareness of the three biggest causes of that alarming statistic:
Whether you're growing a fancy moustache this month or taking part in many of the other activities on offer this Movember, it's important to keep in mind why you are doing it and talk about the challenges you and your fellow bros are facing, no matter how big or small.
The idea of not wanting to appear vulnerable, weak or silly is a factor is one reason why men are dying so young. They are less likely to seek support for their mental health, and less likely to get a potential cancer scare checked out at the doctor.
For the sake of men's well being, we need to:
• break down stigma surrounding mental health and cancer
• take the steps to protect and maintain our health by getting ourselves checked out, even if it's only a slight concern
• we need to realise that vulnerability "is not a weakness, it's a strength."
Let's talk about men's health
• Are you okay? Is anything troubling you at all?• What are your thoughts on the situation regarding men's health?
• Are you growing a moustache? I can never grow a very good one
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If it raises money for a good cause though then I am all for it.
Absolutely, it's vital to look after each gender with the same amount of care, but I think it's important to have awareness days, weeks and months like this where we focus on a certain issue that might be particularly impacting a group of people.
It's certainly for a good cause
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And you are welcome, I think the story in the video is a shining example of how seeking support can be a huge thing for a man and change their life.
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In reality, doctors have seen these symptoms day in, day out and they want to help people. The fear of doing something can be worse than actually doing it. This makes it all the more important for us to talk openly about our experiences, to get rid of the taboo and normalise so called embarrassing illnesses.
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I am so proud of him and to be beside him as he went through the process was very humbling. To see him now makes me realise how far he has come, he is my role model in life, I look up to him so much. It makes me realise how difficult it can be for men and I know together, we must continue to support men to address health issues whatever they may be. Thank you.
when you reach the point where even happy moments are overshadowed by the fear that you have a cancer you really must be brave and make that appointment. I highly recommend it.
It's really important for men to start talking about their health and I'm glad we're speaking about this so openly here.
Scope
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Maybe I've just been unlucky but most Doctors that I've seen, particularly the older male ones, aren't interested in mental health issues in young guys. They just offer a few patronising words of condescension before prescribing anti-depressants (despite trying to explain why I can't take pills (and am not depressed anyway)) and handing over a card for the Wellbeing service, implying a self-referral and that you're wasting their time when they have real patients to deal with.
I hate talking about mental issues in real life. I do feel pathetic and stupid even admitting them to myself, let alone anyone else. I can only assume that comes from upbringing and social conditioning. It took a huge effort to go to the Doctors about the OCD and IBS when they were no longer manageable and I was skipping college and work etc. I hadn't told any relatives at this point and didn't have any close friends to talk to. It was the first time I'd forced myself into a Doctors surgery in about 10 years and I was totally disheartened by the experience. I did eventually try again after many months and with a different Doctor but had the same experience again. I also find that friends didn't really want to know even if they ask, and definitely didn't understand. Though to their credit, I did have a few that were very accommodating with my more 'noticeable' issues. Of course, their accommodation made me feel even more pathetic and guilty. Sadly, as my problems worsened there wasn't a way to keep accommodating them and as their own lives became busier we've completely grown apart now. While I support all the charities around mens mental health and suicide prevention, I get frustrated by the notion that it could all be fixed by just talking to a mate. I wish I did know someone locally with similar issues for a two sided conversation without the pity and exasperation that I get from 'normal' relatives.
I must admit, I do like seeing more guys on TV discussing health issues, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, sex and other things that would never have been on TV 10 years ago. Did any of you see the programme with the 2 brothers (think they were from Love Island?) discussing testicular issues a few weeks ago? Thought it was really interesting myself, despite never having any intention of kids.
On to physical health, I don't know how well it's taught in schools now, but I really feel we should've been taught more when I was there. Remember when the boys all got sent out for the girls to hear about 'lady parts'? Why weren't guys offered something similar? We were just sent out to an early break! Sadly, this meant I only found out an issue when I was 21, channel hopping and accidentally landed on Embarrassing Bodies - not a program I ever normally watched - and felt shocked and physically ill after realising it wasn't normal. I had my suspicions, but have suspicions about so many health issues I never know which ones are worth worrying about. It was too late to do anything about it by then, due to my mental issues, and is still present now. It's a ticking time bomb and something (one of many things tbf) that causes me anxiety every day...if I'd known about it when I was at school I might have had more chance at treatment. Or, I might still have been too embarrassed and too anxious to mention it to anyone, who knows?
I also wish there was somewhere online where you could ask questions about 'downstairs' to a specific sexual health team totally anonymously. For years I've had questions about whether some things are normal or not, but struggle to talk about anxiety and bowel issues, even by written letter, to my GP...there's no chance of me asking questions about that area!
Lastly, not sure if it's male specific or not, but I do have a strange lump that I wonder if any of you have... I am very thin, so it's possible that it's normally just covered up in those of you with a belly lol. It's a small hard lump directly under my lowest left rib, they're almost touching and it's basically at the curve of the rib. I don't want to know which organ it is, frankly the thought of organs inside my body makes me feel physically ill (hence not Googling it!), I just want to know if it's normal or not. It's been there for at least 2 years so can't be immediately fatal...
‘don’t think, DO!’
I tell myself to stop thinking it over and over and just do it! That’s what I did when I finally decided to see a GP about my issue. The phrase works for me anyway because I know thinking about something just makes things worse and gets you nowhere, especially with regard to seeing a doctor.
Now I always keep telling myself that they are trained to deal with the parts of the body that we think might be embarrassing to show to someone else for the purposes of inspection and that they do it on a daily basis. I once apologised to my GP for coming across as nervous, and he acted completely normal and just said it's his job to do these sorts of things and that he hoped he helped relax me.
Thanks for your contribution @OverlyAnxious, you make so many good points and observations. Regarding that last part, we aren't able to give medical advice so I would suggest visiting your GP if you are concerned.
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