While women are more likely to be diagnosed with common mental disorders than men, this doesn’t mean that men don’t struggle with their mental health. November is
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Every November is home to men’s mental health awareness month.
Men’s mental health
Poor mental health can affect people of any gender, but mental health outcomes for men and women aren’t equal. Due to societal expectations of masculinity, men are less likely to talk to others about their feelings, so they suffer in silence. We explain some of the facts about men’s mental health, and what can be done to change the conversation.
health outcomes for men. Men are more likely to experience substance abuse and exhibit violence, and more likely to die by suicide. Skewed expectations around how men should display emotion can lead to a fear of being judged, or for crying or appearing “weak.”
Statistics about men’s mental health
of all NHS referrals for psychological therapies are for men.
36% of deaths by suicide are males, and they are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Men are less likely to seek help for their mental health. Only
Men experience disproportionately high rates of suicide, with death by suicide being the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK. There are many reasons why men might talk less about mental health, such as societal expectations of masculinity. Each November, Mental Health UK tackle this stigma and encourage men to talk. Here’s some advice and information from Mental Health UK... Suicide
Mental illness affects people of every gender, and while the specifics may differ, it’s incorrect to assume that men don’t struggle simply because they are often portrayed, or expected, to be strong and silent. This expectation is rooted in toxic masculinity and has resulted in poor mental
Media and television shows often portray crying men as something to be mocked, but mocking this healthy, human emotional release only serves to discourage men from crying and talking to others about their difficulties.
75% would be concerned about taking time off work, whilst 52% 46% would be embarrassed or ashamed to tell their employer.
is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50 in the UK.
(Calm Zone)
Why men might hide their mental health struggles
Societal expectations
Toxic masculinity is a term describing certain unhelpful assumptions about what it means to be “masculine” such as being stoic, not showing emotions, or being outwardly violent and “tough” versus being “soft” and emotional.
These perceptions can be perpetuated by the media, which portrays men showing vulnerability as “weak” and something to be mocked.
Response from others
Regardless of which gender they open up to about how they are feeling, men are often told to “man up” and to bury their struggles. They may even be bullied by their peers. This discourages them from reaching out for help again in the future.
Getting support and how to start talking about it
If you identify as male and you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. It might seem like talking about it makes you weak, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s plenty of support out there, and if you’re not sure where to start, learn about mental health conditions or see what help is out there locally to you.
If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek professional support.
If you need urgent mental health support, contact:
• Your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
• Or local urgent mental health helplines (numbers for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found using the QR code below)
• Contact local NHS 111 service
Reaching out to a loved one or trusted friend about how you’re feeling can be an important first step in the right direction. In addition to this, finding a community of people where you feel safe to talk about your mental health can be helpful.
Seeking help for someone else
If you’re concerned about someone you know, encourage them to talk about it. It might help to let them know you’re there to listen without judgement.
For more general advice, Campaign against Living Miserably (CALM) offers advice on helping friends with their mental health.
Scan the QR codes below for further help and support
A-Z of Mental Health conditions Help and information
Find UK mental health helplines