Men’s mental health is a topic that is not spoken about or given the attention it needs. This is something that definitely needs to be addressed, given how much it is growing and significantly increasing as time goes on.

In this feature, Blackpool’s Grand dive in to understand, why mental health is less likely to be discussed by men, and how to seek help for men’s mental health?

According to recent research, around 1 in 8 men in England suffer from some sort of mental health issue, whether that be anxiety, depression, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Even though it is an increasingly growing issue, there still seems to be a sort of stigma attached to discussing men’s mental health and creating more awareness around the subject. In order to start overcoming this, we must first uncover why this is the case. 

Why is Men’s Mental Health Not Discussed by Men?

One of the main reasons that males feel unable to openly and freely discuss their mental health is due to expectations within society and the traditional gender roles that are expected of them. Gender stereotypes can be very damaging to both men and women as they expect people to act and look a certain way simply because of their gender. This is especially true when thinking about men’s mental health and how openly they feel about discussing their personal experiences publicly. 

The general perception of men in today’s society is that of a dominant and strong leader that are usually the main breadwinners. While this may not be so inherently bad, it may make it harder for men to feel able to reach out for help and open up when they need to. Other research also suggests that men who are unable to speak openly about their emotions and feelings may be a lot less able to recognise any symptoms of mental health issues in themselves. This will result in them being less likely to reach out for the much-needed support they need. 

Men are also a lot more likely to turn to other coping mechanisms that could be potentially very harmful to them if used in extreme excess. This includes finding solace in drugs and alcohol rather than confiding in close family or friends to discuss any mental health issues they may be experiencing. There is research out there, however, that suggests men are a lot more likely to access help when they feel it is convenient for them and easily accessible, meeting their preferences in a meaningful and engaging way. 

How to Seek Help for Men’s Mental Health

If you are personally seeking help for mental health issues or know a close companion that is after some help, there are several tips you can follow on staying well. Here are 10 simple and practical ways to look after your mental health to get you started. There are also other easy changes you can make such as openly discussing feelings more, staying active, and maintaining a healthier diet. 

One of the first steps to take if you believe you are developing a mental health issue is to reach out and talk to your GP. This may seem like a very daunting process, but the majority of people find that speaking with their GP and getting the appropriate help and support can make an immense difference to their lives. 

If it is an emergency situation and you find yourself or a loved one in danger of taking their life, call 999 immediately or go to the nearest A&E to contact the crisis resolution team. These are trained professionals that work within mental health teams and help people in severe distress that need immediate attention. 

There are so many organisations and charities that offer emotional and practical advice and support. The social stigma that is linked to men being able to discuss their thoughts and feelings openly needs to be diminished, sooner rather than later, and men need to feel the freedom of seeking the help they need at the right time. It is important that the growing crisis of men’s mental health is not ignored and that help is provided when it is needed the most. The change can happen bit by bit, individual by individual until society as a whole has come together to alter the perception of men’s mental health, once and for all. 

Mental Health Services:

There are so many helpful resources out there, below are a few streams of support for varied help.

• Samaritans
• Mental Health Today
• NHS mental health services
• Supportline
• Rethink