“Men must be strong, men must be tough, men must never cry, men must always stand tall”
There was a time when this was how men were supposed to be, but no more! Mental health issues are a disease that takes many forms and affects all, even men. Many men look to alcohol and drugs as a coping method, but we have the power to change this. We can all do our bit to let them know they are not alone.
“Talking isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength”
Did you know that in the UK, 1 in 8 men have a common mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The most common mental health issue for men is anxiety and depression. Men suicides are said to be vastly higher than women and the 40-49 age group is the most common age for men to commit suicide. But we need to change this. We need to lower the numbers and remind men that it’s ok to not be ok and to keep fighting.
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you will need for tomorrow”
How can you help support Men’s Mental Health? I’m glad you asked! There are simple steps you can take to show your support. For example, you can ask the men in your life whether it’s your fathers, brothers, nephews, cousins, uncles, friends, husbands, boyfriends, co-workers or even a stranger, “How are you?” Or “is everything ok?”. Why not educate yourself on the subject, plan a special day for them, show your support through social media and kind words? It doesn’t have to be complicated to tell or show someone you care.
“Emotions have no gender, don’t lock yours in the dark”
If you are a man that suffers from any type of mental health issues here are a few self-care tips you should try:
- Talk to someone. Don’t be afraid to speak up. It’s the first step to getting better.
- Take up a new hobby. Try something that makes you happy and relaxed, gives you a sense of purpose and achievement.
- Love music? Make a motivational playlist. Music is a fun, positive and creative way that can help you be in a better mood and happier mindset.
- Have a routine. Create yourself a routine or add new structure to your day as this can help control your anxiety.
If you are struggling with your mental health and don’t know who to turn to then there are various charity’s and helplines that could help you. You can call Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm to midnight every day or use their online webchat service. For support and suicide prevention services contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or texting SHOUT to 85258, to find out more information visit https://www.samaritans.org/.
Alexandra is a junior account manager, who also has her own small business called Petals and Pearls. She has a creative mindset and has a passion for dance.
