posted 22nd November 2024
Why is Men's Health Awareness Month important?
-Four in five suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35.
-In 2022, men aged 40 to 54 had the highest suicide rates in the UK.
-In 2017, 12.5% of men in the UK were experiencing some form of common mental health condition.
-Nearly three-quarters of adults who go missing are men.
-Men are nearly three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol and three times as likely to report frequent drug use.
November marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the mental health challenges faced by men and encouraging open, supportive conversations.
In the UK, mental health issues can disproportionately affect men, often leading to silence and isolation.
The simple act of talking to someone about your struggles can be transformative. Men may find it particularly challenging to discuss mental health, but expressing feelings and concerns can ease the cognitive burden. Communication fosters connection, which reduces the sense of isolation that often accompanies mental health issues. By normalising these conversations, we help to dismantle outdated perceptions of masculinity and mental health, opening doors for men to seek help without fear or shame.