International Men's Health Week - Q2 2024

International Men’s Health Week

Zac Seidler Global Director of Men’s Health Research, Movember

Robbie Connell, Movember Ambassador. Image provided by Movember.

Rising incontinence costs and the environmental crisis lurking in Europe’s waste

Incontinence is often described as a hidden disability, but it takes a real toll on patients’ quality of life and society as a whole.

The burden of incontinence affects every aspect of patients’ lives. Incontinence ties patients to accessible facilities and leads to higher rates of anxiety and depression, often defining their quality of life. Urinary incontinence has been linked to cardiac failure, chronic renal failure, diabetes, cognitive impairment, sleep apnoea and more. Furthermore, patients often bear a financial burden from managing their symptoms.

Socioeconomic and environmental impact

Beyond the burden incontinence has on patients, we are beginning to understand more about the impact of incontinence on society as a whole. A recent study by the European Association of Urology focused on the economic and environmental impact of incontinence in Europe.

With healthcare costs, productivity losses and waste disposal costs, they estimate incontinence costs Europe €69 billion annually, putting it roughly on par with the cost of cancer at €100 billion. The cost of incontinence is not exclusive to the economy; it additionally wreaks havoc on the environment. Billions of incontinence pads are disposed of and incinerated each year, making up 4.8% of all municipal waste.

The future of incontinence in Europe

In the next 10 years, incontinence is set to grow rapidly in Europe. While the population is ageing, patients are living longer after treatments that result in incontinence and are also more empowered to demand tangible changes from their governments around continence care and accessibility. The cost of incontinence is set to rise by up to 20% by 2030, so Europe must move quickly to combat it.

However, there is room for optimism. Last year, the Urge to Act campaign brought together scientists, professionals, patients and industry, alongside Members of the European Parliament, to sign a manifesto demanding action on incontinence.

The manifesto calls for decisive policy changes to tangibly improve continence care in Europe and advocates for a systemic response to incontinence care, calling for equitable access to facilities and care, better patient education outreach and funding for the research of healthy and sustainable solutions.

Prof Eamonn Rogers Chair, EAU Patient Office Chair

Seidler Global Director of Men’s Health Research, Movember

Understanding and connecting with young men’s struggles to redefine masculinity

As young men struggle with health, wellbeing and relationships, we must seek new opportunities to understand, support and connect with them.

In our studies, young men report feeling disconnected from their gender, rarely thinking about it or discussing it. Consequently, their perceptions are easily influenced by the loudest voices in the room or on their phones.

Redefining masculinity to support men

As the ‘crisis of masculinity’ narrative grows louder, fear of discussing men’s lives in an optimistic and expansive way only mirrors and reinforces their silence. Masculinities are often weighed down by the fear of femininity or homosexuality. This fear is what drives, in my eyes, the lack of a fully realised, well-defined view of themselves.

The conversation is ridden with how not to be, but young men cannot build a strong identity on that. We’re at an inflexion point, where the convergence of the #MeToo movement and rise of ‘toxic masculinity’ (the media-driven term of choice) have placed young men’s lives in the spotlight.

Navigating complexity of men’s lived experiences

Their schools, peer groups, sporting clubs and online interactions receive an unrivalled level of scrutiny; a backlash response has arisen as young men seek out what they see as dominant voices, often online, offering them back certainty and power that feels better to them than waves of shame or guilt being sold

elsewhere.

Men reliably tell us that they are lonely; they struggle to navigate dating; they feel tied to their phone as if their life depends on it; and they don’t learn the difference between porn and true intimacy. It is an increasingly complex world for them to navigate; it’s time we took a new approach to engaging with them.

Engage, empathise and co-design To engage young men in a movement for change, we must meet them where they are and build solutions with them by asking, ‘How can we help?’ This also means learning from them and co-designing solutions to the complex problems that are their lived reality. We also cannot demand answers without questioning the systemic pressures underpinning their decisions.

This is the secret to Movember’s success. The humble moustache may have started conversations with millions of men, but we are a unique charity. Our mandate is to empathise with and understand young men’s lives to help them live healthier, longer lives.

To support men in achieving lasting health and wellbeing — whether as partners, family, friends or healthcare professionals — it’s time we ask and stop assuming what men need.

Project Manager: Joseph Moore joseph.moore@mediaplanet.com Business Development Manager: Lucy Harris Managing Director - Ireland: Ross Bannatyne | Senior Designer: Aimee Rayment Senior Content Manager: Angelica Hackett O’Toole | Head of Digital Operations: Harvey O’Donnell Paid Media Manager: Jonni Asfaha Social & Web Editor: Henry Phillips All images supplied by Gettyimages, unless otherwise specified | Contact information: ie.info@mediaplanet.com or +44

Zac

Funding for two new projects will improve detection and treatment for prostate cancer

that may be limited by the fact that the population is getting older, so there is a general feeling that there is a tsunami of prostate cancer coming down the tracks,” he continues. “We want to meet that tsunami with smart PSA testing, so we don’t overdetect and over-treat the disease going forward.”

Health system and patient reported data collection

Data used to improve care and outcomes for patients

Data analysed

Data analysis shared with clinicians

A leading prostate cancer charity has unveiled new funding for two new projects, including a clinical registry, to improve detection, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The Clinical Quality Registry, to be launched this year, will gather critical prostate cancer data to enable clinicians to improve the care and treatment they deliver. Funded by Movember, the registry is part of the Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research (IPCOR) programme. It builds on the earlier IPCOR1 study, which ran until 2020 and assessed the impact prostate cancer had on men’s quality of life.

WRITTEN BY

Mark Nicholls

Benchmarking prostate cancer treatment

The IPCOR2 clinical registry will collect high-quality, real-time data on men with prostate cancer, allowing year-on-year and hospital-to-hospital comparisons and benchmarking Irish patient outcomes against international standards.

Consultant urologist David Galvin, based at the Mater and St Vincent’s Hospitals in Dublin, specialising in prostate cancer, says: “It will provide information and feedback along with patient-reported outcomes, so we can measure how our patients are doing

almost instantaneously and compare all our results across Ireland.” Galvin, also IPCOR Principal Investigator, says doctors can additionally monitor patient progress through questionnaires while the registry can inform healthcare providers when making funding decisions by showing which treatments work best for patients.

The Irish registry will link to registries in Australia and New Zealand, meaning treatment outcomes can be compared between men in those countries and Ireland and feed into Movember’s global cancer registry. “That means that we can benchmark Irish results with our international collaborators,” adds Galvin.

Boosting prostate screening Galvin heads the EU-based PRAISE-U prostate cancer screening project and aims to encourage early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer and ensure patients receive the relevant treatment options.

“We think there will be an overall reduction in prostate cancer, though

Through the charity’s support, patients will be monitored more closely. Their outcomes will be checked with the clinical data to ensure that treatments are delivered for the right patients and in relevant settings.

Irish registry to improve care

Movember’s director of clinical quality, Sibilah Breen, who oversees the charity’s clinical quality registries, explains that while the Irish registry will also have research applications, a more significant benefit will lie in the data acquired to feed back to clinicians and improve care. She says: “There is evidence that by collecting and feeding back data to clinicians, you can positively impact their practice and thereby improve the outcomes for men.”

There is also the hope that the registry will trigger longer-term funding from central government, the HSE and National Cancer Programme in Ireland. It can raise the profile and awareness of men’s health issues in the same way that has been achieved with resources for the female population with pelvic and breast cancers. There is an initial three-and-a-half years of funding for IPCOR2, which will formally launch in November to tie in with the annual Movember fund-raising drive.

Registry shows positive change

Breen says the registry in Australia and New Zealand is entering its 11th year and has already produced positive change. “In 2015,” says Breen, “we had 25% of low-risk cancers treated with surgery, rather than the clinically recommended less aggressive forms of management, and men having serious side effects. Now, we are down to 13%, so we can see these changes over time.”

Alongside patient outcome data, the Irish registry will also cover other factors important to men, with contributions from the lived experience patient group. In addition, blood and urine samples will be collected from men to create a biobank to enable scientists to try and find new targets for therapy, leading to further collaborations.

Mr David Galvin

Consultant Urologist, Mater and St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin

Dr Sibilah Breen Director, Clinical Quality, Movember, Australia

Sponsored by Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research and Movember

Supporting men’s mental health through Sheds a safe space for all men

Single, widowed, retired, lonely, socially isolated, carer or cared for? There is a warm welcome for you at a Shed — one that’s respectful and without judgment.

Connection alone is reason enough for a Shed in every Irish community for men — who die younger, have higher death rates for almost all leading causes of death and present later to services and supports. Men’s Sheds offer a safe space for men to enjoy and find solace.

Shed a light on men’s mental health Ireland currently has the highest rate of loneliness in Europe and the third highest incidence of adult mental illness across 36 countries in Europe. When it comes to talking about mental wellbeing, men face societal gender pressures to ‘put on a brave face’ and not talk or seek professional help.

With over 450 Sheds in our local communities and 6–7,000 men a week going in and out the doors, Ireland has the highest number of Sheds per capita compared to any other country.

Connection and initiatives for men’s wellbeing

Over 80% of men say they ‘feel better’ for being part of a Shed and the environment itself is undeniably ‘health-promoting.’ From North to South, East to West, each Shed is as individual as the men who choose to come together to start a Shed based on shared interests like boatbuilding, beekeeping or biodiversity. Connection (and perhaps a kettle) is the fuel of all of our Sheds.

Offering holistic men’s health support Sheds offer men social, psychological, emotional and physical health and wellbeing support. Their success in Ireland has been extraordinary and builds on the country’s leadership in having one of the first National Men’s Health policies.

Plus, there’s more to Sheds than tea and chat. Walk into your community Shed, and you are likely to discover a bustling hub of creativity and transformation for local men navigating key life changes. They offer spaces for life-long learning and skills-sharing. They are rich in experience and encourage ongoing contribution ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with each other and in their communities.

Transformative, life-saving spaces

Sheds are places where you don’t lose any previous identity; you gain a new one. They are safe, supportive and confidential spaces for men to share their feelings and discuss things they couldn’t imagine discussing outside any other four walls. These spaces have saved lives. For many, the Shed is the ‘why’ that gets them out of bed in the morning and gives their life meaning.

Enda Egan CEO, Irish Men’s Sheds Association

Low testosterone in men: who is at risk and how to handle it

Late-onset testosterone deficiency (TD) is a deficiency of testosterone in men as they age. It is a hormone disorder in men, like others such as type 2 diabetes.

Testosterone deficiency can lead to a range of signs and symptoms that can significantly affect quality of life. TD is also a risk factor (meaning, it can put you at a higher risk) for type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, among other conditions.

Testosterone deficiency risk factors and characteristics

It is important to note that if you have some pre-existing conditions or risk factors for disease, your risk for low testosterone is higher. Some of the most common conditions associated with low testosterone are obesity and type 2 diabetes. Certain medications and illicit drug use can also lower testosterone. As a result, it is important to make sensible lifestyle choices to reduce your exposure to these risk factors.

The testosterone molecule acts on receptors called androgen receptors that are all over the body. These receptors are responsible for developing and maintaining male characteristics as well as regulating mood, and they also play a role in metabolism and sexual function.

Signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency

The three most common signs or symptoms relating to low testosterone are low libido or sex drive; loss of early morning erections; and erectile dysfunction. These symptoms rarely travel alone, and below are the other common associated symptoms with testosterone deficiency:

Physical: Fatigue; loss of muscle tissue; increased weight around the midsection. Psychological: Increased anxiety; lower mood; loss of concentration.

Typically, a middle-aged man may present with low mood or increased anxiety. On further questioning, he may reveal a history of reduced libido or the inability to maintain erections. Sometimes, we accept these things as ‘I’m just getting on,’ and, as a result — without prompting — it may never have crossed his mind to mention such symptoms or ask for help.

Sponsored by Besins Healthcare

Dr Emmett Byrne GP, with A Special Interest in Men’s Health, Dublin MAT-BHUK-NP 0082. June 2024.

How social prescribing can support men’s mental health and address needs

People often visit their GP for non-medical problems, including loneliness or financial difficulty. Due to GP shortages, addressing social needs can be challenging. Social prescribing may help address this gap.

Research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) shows that 33% of men aged 50 and over reported feeling lonely often or some of the time. Social prescribing has the potential to support men experiencing loneliness, social isolation or mental health difficulties. This approach has been shown to improve overall health and wellbeing, enhance self-confidence and self-esteem and foster greater community involvement.

How social prescribing works

Social prescribing provides GPs and other health professionals a means of referring people to a range of non-clinical community supports through a social prescribing link worker. The link worker meets with the person referred for social prescribing to assess their needs and make a personal plan.

This plan might include joining social groups such as Men’s Sheds, local exercise groups, educational classes, peer support groups or recreational activities. The voluntary and community sector plays a key role in the delivery of many of these services.

The importance of timing

While social prescribing can benefit health and wellbeing, the timing of the referral is an important consideration. Social prescribing focuses on enabling a person to independently access local community groups and services, so the person needs to feel ready to do that.

They may need additional support from other mental health services, such as peer support workers or community mental health teams to engage effectively with social prescribing.

National expansion

Social prescribing is still a relatively new approach in Ireland. In 2023, the HSE significantly expanded social prescribing, and the service is now available in every county. The ‘All Ireland Social Prescribing Network’ (AISPN) website has a members map, which shows a list of social prescribing services across the country with contact details.

People can directly contact these services to selfrefer to social prescribing, or they can find more information from their GP. Mental Health Reform has also published a briefing paper providing further information on social prescribing and mental health.

Enhancing mental health outcomes

As social prescribing continues to grow in Ireland, it holds significant potential to enhance mental health outcomes and promote social inclusion, especially for men. This powerful tool helps individuals access a wide range of supports available through the voluntary and community sector, paving the way for improved health and community engagement.

Fiona Coyle CEO, Mental Health Reform

How incontinence treatment options can improve lives of patients at any age

Various treatments are available for urinary incontinence. If you have symptoms, don’t put off seeing your GP because treatment could make a big difference to your quality of life.

According to NHS England, approximately 14 million people in the UK have some degree of urinary incontinence — a condition linked with a reduced quality of life and mental health issues.

Avoid putting off incontinence treatment

There are certain misconceptions about incontinence. For instance, there’s a mistaken belief that it’s an inevitable part of ageing. Plus, some think it’s untreatable. So, they just learn to live with it; but that’s not right, insists Chris Harding, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Urology at Newcastle University.

WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

“Anyone experiencing regular urinary leakage needs to know it’s not normal, no matter how old they are,” he says. “They must also understand that good, effective treatments are available — and largely very successful, so people should never suffer in silence.”

The problem is that men, in particular, may be so embarrassed by symptoms that they put off seeing their GP. “I understand that because incontinence is thought of as a ‘taboo’ subject,” says Professor Harding. “We have to break that taboo because some people will leave it five, 10 or 20 years before seeking help. In many cases, a simple treatment can be offered that will drastically improve their quality of life.”

Simple interventions can make a significant difference

the sphincter muscle and pelvic floor.”

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A variety of therapies are available to treat incontinence.

Quality of life can be restored with the right medical treatment If you've noticed changes to how you think and feel that concern you, talk to your GP about them.

In the first instance, they may recommend changes to what you eat and drink. Other lifestyle changes may be encouraged. These include: weight loss and stopping smoking. You may also be directed to other information sources (eg. the CONfidence app).

Simple interventions can make a difference. For instance, patients experiencing incontinence at night (particularly those with an overactive bladder) are advised to reduce caffeine and evening fluid intake. In other cases, pelvic floor exercises may prove beneficial.

Shared decision-making and seeking help Medications are available, too, and — in severe instances — surgical procedures are an option. “I’m an advocate for shared decisionmaking,” says Professor Harding. “Health practitioners should explain the range of treatments available and work with the patient to decide which one will be the best fit.”

Anyone experiencing regular urinary leakage needs to know it’s not normal, no matter how old they are.

There are different reasons why symptoms appear.

“If the bladder is overactive, the bladder muscle contracts when you don’t want it to, resulting in the expulsion of urine,” explains Professor Harding.

“Incontinence can also occur if there is weakness in

Certainly, we need more open conversations about incontinence. “That’s why we support initiatives such as World Continence Week,” says Professor Harding. “We want patients to know that medical practitioners have clear treatment guidelines for incontinence and that there is exciting research in this field. This will further improve treatment options and lead to better patient care, but we can only help people if we know they have a problem in the first place. So, DON’T put up with incontinence. See your GP.”

Spread sponsored by Medtronic

Chris Harding Consultant Urological Surgeon at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Professor of Urology at Newcastle University

Scan the QR code to find out more

A journey to better health

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If the conservative efforts mentioned do not work for you, return to your doctor to find an alternative treatment. This might include incontinence medicine.

Your GP may refer you to a specialised team for further tests and treatment options. Continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment options include:

• Supervised pelvic floor muscle-training/physiotherapy

• PTNS: stimulation of a nerve in the lower leg

• Alternative incontinence medicine

• Sacral neuromodulation: pacemaker for bladder/bowel

Don’t keep bowel dysfunction symptoms to yourself — speak to your GP

Many management options are available for patients with bowel dysfunction, but many suffer in silence before consulting a GP. This delay often leads to unhealthy coping habits.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the pelvic floor service at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Dublin, I help people manage bowel dysfunction symptoms like constipation and faecal incontinence.

Bowel dysfunction causes and symptoms

Though 1 in 10 people reportedly suffer from faecal incontinence, symptoms are often under-reported, suggesting the actual figure is likely higher. Faecal incontinence can occur for various reasons, including neurological conditions and anal sphincter muscle defects caused by childbirth.

Bowel dysfunction is not discriminatory and affects both males and females of all ages. The symptoms can cause social isolation, anxiety, hopelessness and reduced self-esteem and can severely impact one’s quality of life.

Why bowel dysfunction is debilitating Faecal incontinence can take hold of a person’s life. A patient can be dependent on being near a toilet at all times out of fear of having an episode of incontinence. Some patients have reported restricting their activities to places where they know the toilet locations. Patients have felt compelled to

leave their jobs as a consequence of their symptoms. Experiencing faecal incontinence is extremely embarrassing, and patients don’t talk about their symptoms with family, friends or their GP.

Awareness and personalised care options

Awareness of the symptoms is paramount. Patients need to know that they are not the only ones suffering from such symptoms and that there is help out there. Often, the hardest step is making the first step, which is talking with their GP.

Along with lifestyle changes and dietary changes, other interventions can help. These are pelvic floor physiotherapy, trans-anal irrigation, anal inserts as well as sacral nerve modulation, to name but a few.

Bowel function is very individualised and, consequently, treatment for bowel dysfunction is also very individualised. At our pelvic floor service, we take a holistic care assessment and tailor a treatment plan. Once symptoms are managed, a patient can gain back control of their life.

Audrey Mc Donnell Pelvic Floor Clinical Nurse Specialist, MMUH

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There are other options available and you may be able to discuss these with your hospital.

• For faecal incontinence: anal irrigation (washout), a colostomy

• For stress incontinence: slings made out of a surgical mesh that restore the normal anatomy of the bladder

• For overactive bladder symptoms: Botox injections every few months

Continue to seek help from your doctor if you have still not found the right treatment for you.

Finding freedom from faecal incontinence through innovative implant

SMy incontinence journey started 38 years ago. I got diarrhoea occasionally, which worsened over time. After several referrals, I received life-changing sacral nerve stimulation treatment.

even years ago, I started to suffer from faecal incontinence. Some days, I couldn’t even hold on for the 10-minute drive to work.

Daily life with faecal incontinence

Normal daily activities like shopping and walking caused me to have problems, and I would poo myself so badly that it would seep out of the side of my underwear. I would carry a bag with wet wipes and spare clothing, just in case.

I’m a runner, and I love running, but this became increasingly difficult as accidents happened more often without any warning. I found it devastating.

Diagnosis journey with multiple referrals

and a nutritionist. I had X-rays, colonoscopies, endoscopies and other tests. I felt abandoned when the doctors told me I didn’t have cancer and that I required no further action. I still had the same problems but nowhere to go.

Sacral nerve stimulation implant By chance, at my local park run, I met someone who had experienced similar problems. They underwent a new treatment called sacral stimulation implantation by Mr Michael Powar at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. After almost three years, I was referred to him.

The whole thing has been an amazing success and has been lifechanging.

The final straw came on holiday. Walking back to the hotel after a meal, it happened, and it was everywhere. I had no control. Back at the hotel, I felt broken. After that, I bought several pairs of special pants with charcoal lining and incontinence pull-ups to reduce the risk of leaking through my clothing.

My doctor referred me to bowel consultants, a gastroenterologist

I was so happy when he said he could help me, but I was also anxious about the procedure. Following a successful two-week trial, I was fitted with a permanent device. The whole thing has been an amazing success and has been lifechanging.

I feel frustrated that it took so long to get the help I needed, but I hope others can be given help and treated sooner by raising awareness.

Building a healthier construction workforce by making moves for mental health

Setting a new standard in the construction industry, the ‘Light on a Dark Day’ event emphasises the importance of mental health awareness for construction workers and aims to boost access to support.

The construction industry’s high-stress environment, coupled with the physical demands of the job, places considerable strain on workers. Historically, mental health can be overlooked, but there is also the stigma associated with discussing personal emotions among workers. To foster a healthier workforce, construction companies must prioritise raising awareness and cultivating a supportive working environment.

Mental health in construction

GEM Construction, a leading Irish construction company, has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting the mental health of its employees. Initiatives include highlighting mental health awareness together with providing dignity training and mental health first aiders while integrating mental health into the health and safety structure and collaborating with support organisations, such as Pieta House.

Martin Healy, Managing Director, highlights what the company is

Recognising the signs of suicidal ideation and how to help

Effective suicide prevention is a complex process unique to everyone. It involves open, non-judgmental communication and urging those with suicidal thoughts to seek professional support.

Suicide remains a pressing issue in Ireland, particularly among men of all ages.

Timely intervention can help reduce suicide risk, highlighting the importance of both recognising where signs of suicidal thoughts or self-harm might be present and knowing how to support someone in need.

doing to change the status quo. “We are trying to remove the stigma associated with mental health in construction, changing the culture to one that is positive and supportive of people’s mental health needs.”

Extending support to people struggling One of GEM Construction’s key initiatives is their ‘Light on a Dark Day’ annual event. This event raises awareness about mental health issues and provides support to employees. Healy says: “We held an awareness day on all our construction projects on the darkest day of the year during the Covid-19 pandemic. This involved hosting an outdoor breakfast with an opportunity to discuss and highlight the importance of mental health awareness.

“Pieta House counsellors attended on the day and became part of a focus awareness discussion on mental health. The added bonus of the day was a substantial charitable contribution to Pieta House to help support other awareness programmes.”

Encouraging honest and open conversations

The company worked on a book entitled ‘For My Friend in a Difficult Time’, in collaboration with Fergus Grimes, which was distributed throughout the event. Written in response to a personal experience of suicide, the book seeks to encourage an open and honest conversation about mental health. It highlights that people are not alone.

“Our initiatives have been well received by everybody in the industry. Everybody is acknowledging the need for change to improve outcomes for people struggling with mental health,” adds Healy. The book is a simple way of delivering a complex message and has been extremely well-received by all who read it.

Annual event dedicated to industry mental health

GEM Construction’s approach to mental health is setting a standard in the industry. By prioritising mental health initiatives, the company not only improves health outcomes but also enhances productivity and safety.

“We are re-energising our ‘Light on Dark Day’ annual event this year, and we welcome other companies throughout the construction industry and beyond to follow suit,” says Healy. “It is difficult to see logic and reason when you are in the depths of mental illness. We want people to know they have access to support.”

WRITTEN BY Sarah Brown

Warning signs of suicidal thoughts

“Some people are open about the risk they might be in, while in others, it’s completely unnoticeable,” says Luke McGibbon, therapist at Pieta’s crisis helpline. “Everyone is different, but there are more common indicators to look out for.”

These signs include expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness, researching ways to die by suicide, engaging in reckless behaviour, withdrawing from social interactions,

ImageprovidedbyPietaHouse

experiencing changes in sleep patterns and increased substance abuse.

“One of the most common indicators is the perception of being a burden on loved ones or society,” McGibbon explains. “Statements such as ‘I’m only holding you back’ or ‘I’m only wearing you down’ are telltale signs of a sense of ‘burdensomeness’,” he adds.

How to reach out and help

Around 72% of suicides recorded by the Central Statistics Office in Ireland were male. Due to societal expectations, men may be less likely to talk about their wellbeing and ask for help.

If someone is experiencing suicide ideation or self-harm, approach the situation with empathy and understanding, McGibbon says. Ask the individual directly if they’re

thinking about suicide. “When it’s verbalised, it’s easier to work through it,” he says. “Asking directly also shows that you’re comfortable discussing it, and you’re saying: ‘let’s talk about it’.”

Listening attentively and without judgment while reiterating what’s being said shows understanding, explains McGibbon. It’s essential not to shame or guilt someone showing signs of suicidal ideation or selfharm. Similarly, dismissing talk of suicide or viewing it as attentionseeking is unproductive.

Encouraging additional support

Anyone contemplating suicide, experiencing self-harm or coping with suicide-related bereavement should connect with a professional without delay. Pieta’s crisis helpline offers free 24-hour assistance, 365 days a year from professional specialists. They also offer specialised suicide and self-harm intervention therapy for professional, ongoing support.

This service is free and available in person at 24 centres across Ireland or remotely via video or phone sessions. There are also support and therapy services available to those bereaved by suicide. “People thinking about suicide may need support from a few different directions,” McGibbon says. “It’s helpful to guide people to professional support networks like their GP and Pieta.”

Luke McGibbon Pieta Crisis Helpline Therapist

If you, or anyone you know, are experiencing suicidal feelings, self-harm or suicide-related bereavement, contact Pieta on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.

Sponsored by Pieta House

Martin Healy Managing Director, GEM Construction

WRITTEN BY Bethany Cooper