It’s International Men’s Day!
Celebrated on November 19, today raises awareness for men’s mental health as well as addressing a wide range of different issues. We want to encourage everyone to recognise issues that men face in our society, and to focus on improving men’s health and wellbeing.
Did you know?
• 75% of suicides are men and it is the largest cause of death in men under 50
• 33% of domestic violence is reported by men
• Almost 75% of adults who go missing are men
• 87% of rough sleepers are men
• Men make up the vast majority of the prison population
• Men are three times as likely to become dependent on alcohol and frequent drug use
It is often felt that men may struggle to discuss their mental health due to societal expectations and traditional gender roles, which can be very damaging for men and women.
The three core themes for International Men’s Day in the UK are:
• Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys
• Raising awareness and/or funds for charities supporting men and boys’ wellbeing
• Promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity
Some great tips to support men with their mental health include supporting them to talk about their feelings without judgement, encouraging them to keep active and eat well and helping them to seek professional support if needed.
If you need someone to talk to or for further advice on the support available to you, please refer to our Safeguarding page here
*Statistics sourced from the Mental Health Foundation