My girlfriend is always wound up that I’m not entirely forthcoming about my feelings, I’m never entirely sure if it’s because that’s how I am or if I’m pre-inclined to be like that because I’ve been conditioned by the phrases “Man up”, or “Just get on with it”.
That said, some of the best changes in my life have come because of me opening up, admitting something is wrong, and having a weep down the phone to my mum - so I really am trying to be better.
A few facts:
- Three times as many men as women die by suicide.
- Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women according to the Government’s national wellbeing survey.
- Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women: only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.
- Men are nearly three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol.
Bearing in mind there is a whole degree for mental health nursing, and I’m just an idiot behind a computer – what I reckon this boils down to is that a lot of the time, men don’t talk and things get worse.
So, one of the most important things to remember must be that there is always someone to talk to, and that normalising talking about vital issues, such as our mental health, is one of the most critical things we can do throughout our lives.
I’ve added a few links below to some national and local resources that can be used:
- Find the University’s web page on Pastoral care at: https://www.uos.ac.uk/content/pastoral-issues
- Find the University’s web page on Mental Health at: https://www.uos.ac.uk/content/mental-health
- NHS Ipswich’s mental health and wellbeing website: https://ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/Yourhealth/Mentalhealthwellbeing.aspx
- A forum focussed on issues in men’s lives: https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/male-health
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for text support with a trained volunteer
- Call the Samaritans Freephone number on 116 123 for mental health support
- Call the NHS first response line 0808 196 3494 to access immediate advice, support and signposting for people experiencing mental health difficulties or to speak with a mental health professional.
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