Supporting Men To Care For Their Mental Health

Supporting Men To Care For Their Mental Health

Men and women both experience depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions but their symptoms can be very different. Because men who are depressed or suffering with anxiety may appear to be angry or aggressive instead of sad, their families, friends and even their doctors may not always recognise the anger or aggression as depression or anxiety symptoms.

In addition, men are less likely than women to recognise, talk about, and seek treatment for depression. Yet depression and anxiety affect a large number of men. This is why the movement to support men to spot the signs and reach out to their friends is vital, if we’re going to help create a new culture for men’s mental health.

Mental Health UK states that In England, around 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem. However, men may be reluctant to seek support for their mental health or disclose mental health problems to loved ones.

In recent years, there appears to be a huge shift happening around men’s mental health in the UK. However, there are still many obstacles men face. The term ‘toxic masculinity’ is a phrase used to describe old concepts and beliefs that no longer serve men in the 21st century. Societal expectations, the ways in which men and women have been traditionally expected to behave, may play a role in mental health.

For men, societal expectations about how men “should” behave and what masculinity is include the expectation that men be the breadwinners of their family and that they display what have traditionally been perceived as masculine traits like strength, stoicism, dominance, and control. Even though most of us know deep down that this need not be the case for men in modern society, we still see this stereotype at large for many men. One of the huge barriers is that this notion can hinder them in seeking support.

It’s been well-documented in the press about well-known celebrities such as Keith Flint and Mike Thalassitis in 2019 who completed suicide. Many loved ones and friends had expressed that spotting the signs and symptoms in the days leading up to their tragic deaths were hard to recognise. This can be a common theme, with not just suicide, but with all mental health in men, so what can we do to help friend, loved one or a colleague at work?

Firstly, it’s important to be aware of the signs:

  • Small changes in habits or behaviour
  • Different sleep patterns
  • Financial difficulties or overspending
  • Becoming easily irritated
  • Poor diet or a change in eating habits
  • Throw away comments such as “this is all too much right now”
  • Poor concentration

Wellbeing campaigns, like Mind’s Mental Health First Aid for Men and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), are taking a specific approach to meet the needs of men, in helping to breakdown the stigma for men to reach out and get support. As a result, over the last few years, we’re seeing a rise in men accessing counselling, attending workshops or joining local support groups. These targeted approaches, hopefully over time, will allow the change in thinking, attitudes and social norms that is so desperately needed.

Tips for supporting yourself if you’re a man having a tough time:

  • Reach out – chat to a mate when you start to hide yourself away
  • Be listened to – have a chat and get it off your chest
  • Follow social media accounts that you can relate to
  • Have a chat with someone who will listen and not ‘fix’ – a mate, colleague, family member or a helpline
  • Keep up with your routine – or add new structure to your day
  • Go to the gym or a form of exercise
  • Get outside for a short walk
  • Go swimming
  • Make a motivational playlist
  • Read a motivational or inspirational quote – to get perspective
  • Put yourself out there – do something new like volunteering or taking up a hobby
  • Get out of your comfort zone – feel a sense of achievement from this
  • Stop and pause – take time to check in with your head by using mindfulness, writing or meditation
  • Focus on breathing: breathe in and out slowly for 3 minutes
  • Switch off – in a way that works for you, with a book, film, video game etc.
  • Ask a mate how they are – doing something for a mate can make you feel better

Resources

https://www.thecalmzone.net – Do show your support for the amazing work of CALM through a donation at the Yogamatters checkout next time you place an order with us. Find out more here.

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/tags/men

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