Mental Health Awareness Week

It's Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme being Anxiety.

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Mental health is a topic we hear about a lot, but we don’t often hear men talk about it as much as we do women. Mental health is a term used to describe how someone feels, thinks, and behaves. It affects how we cope with life's challenges, as well as our relationships with others. One in four people every year suffers from mental health, but over 50% of these people will never talk to their peers, or a medical professional about the way they feel.

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Studies show that men are more likely than women to have experienced a mental health problem and not reach out for help. In 2015, 28% of men had experienced a common mental disorder (CMD) in the past year compared with 21% of women; this is an increase from 23% and 19% respectively in 2007.
 
Stigma Around Men's Mental Health
Men are more likely than women to use alcohol or drugs as a way of coping with their feelings, which can lead them down a path of addiction and other negative consequences. This is because many men tend not to recognise or acknowledge when they need help because of societal expectations about masculinity that dictate that "real men" shouldn't show emotion or weakness; instead, they should be tough and strong at all times. Men also tend not to talk about their feelings with friends or family members because they fear being judged as weak by others if they do so--which only makes things worse since this prevents them from getting support from those around them who could offer valuable insight into what might be going on inside their heads!
 
How can you help someone who is suffering with mental health?
 
Let them know you are there for them.
The initial conversation about mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable with the men in your life but remind them you are there for them and you are willing to listen to any issues they may have.
 
Offer them help.
Help can be offered in several ways, you can help them research how to get professional support, or if they just are not ready for that, you can help them with simple things like household tasks or doing their food shop.
 
Do not force it.
Do not force someone to talk to you or seek help. Do not go to a GP on their behalf, as it might make them feel uncomfortable. Gently explore their reasons and listen without judgement, as this might help them to work out what to do.
 
Carry on how you usually would.
Don’t make them feel like they are a burden to you, act the same way with them in which you usually would, changing up the way that you can often make them feel isolated.
 
Remember to take care of yourself!
Listening to others can become a lot for one person, so make sure you are putting the same amount of time aside for yourself and your mental health as you are for the person for which you are caring for.
 
If you or anyone around you is suffering with their mental health, please do not suffer alone, reach out and get support. has many features that offer support, download today.

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