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Men's Mental Health

  • pwpeersupport
  • Nov 6, 2020
  • 3 min read

By Dimitri Georgiev


Mental health as a whole is a topic that is continuing to be discussed more in the public sphere. This is great to see as it encourages people to come forward to seek help when they need it, effectively helping to break the stigma surrounding mental difficulties. What many people might not realise is that there are still aspects of this discussion that are somewhat avoided or remain unseen. In particular, men’s general experience with mental health differs from that of people of other genders. Part of the reason why this isn’t so overtly talked about may have a lot to do with the average man’s perceived role in society.



In the UK, around 1 in 8 men are living with a common mental health problem, yet are often reluctant to disclose their issues with loved ones or medical professionals. Statistics show that a vast majority of suicides in the UK are committed by men. Evidently, it seems that men’s struggles are very much real, yet internalised by them and rarely outright spoken about.


This phenomenon is usually attributed by many to the enduring ideas of masculinity. In the case of men, these might be related to traditional expectations of masculinity, such as being strong, resilient, and successful. A lot of men have been socialised from an early age to believe that they must be seen to act in this way. As a result, men might feel more inclined to conceal their true feelings or may find it more difficult to identify when their struggles have evolved beyond simply ‘going through a hard time’.


The misconception that men cannot and/or should not display ‘signs of weakness’ - such as mental hardship - is very harmful. It may be one of the reasons why we see such staggering mental health statistics in the male population. While this may be the cause for why most men suffer silently to an extent, things can rarely be attributed to just a single factor. Instead it’s likely to be due to a complex combination of different reasons, so it’s best to consider each person on a case-by-case basis. Recognising these possible causes whilst avoiding making assumptions about what they are exactly may be a beneficial way to approach men's mental health. If you suspect that someone you know is struggling, then offering them support by asking them to elaborate on their own terms may be the best course of action.



It’s normal for anyone to find it hard to constantly maintain a positive mental state. Leading a healthy lifestyle is an obvious, commonly recommended way to help yourself, but asking for help from others is sometimes necessary. If you are a man who has been hesitant to confide in others for whatever reason, we recognise that taking this first step is difficult, but doing so also takes immense amounts of bravery and resilience. We encourage you to reach out to trusted people around you for support (or you can come to our group as well). You may find that it really benefits you, and that the people you share it with would most certainly be happy to listen and help. Additionally, if you think that a man you know is struggling with something, then offering a listening ear and an opportunity to talk may help them more than you know.



There are many existing organisations that seek to break down the stigma associated with men’s mental health that you may have heard of. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) shows its open support for men by encouraging open conversations in the public sphere of media, as well as providing helpline services for those who seek help. Another popular movement is that of Movember which runs a campaign to also advocate for men’s mental health. They seek to improve men’s mental health by focusing on prevention and early intervention. Both of these services (amongst many more) exist to help provide men with a place to reach out to. Our peer support group exists to also support positive mental wellbeing for all regardless of gender so you can come to talk to us in a confidential, supportive environment. You can also find a masterlist of information and self-help resources on our website.


Sometimes we may need some help, advice, and support from others - and that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you feel you need to.


Sources and helpful resources:

 
 
 

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