November is Men’s Mental Health Month

It’s great to have some time specifically aimed at supporting men towards healthier, longer and more fulfilling lives.  November is focusing on men’s mental health.  There are many reasons why this focus is vital and a quick look at some of the statistics  show how important it is to address men’s mental health:-

• Four in five suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35. [1]
• In 2022, men aged 40 to 54 had the highest suicide rates in the UK. [2]
• In 2017, 12.5% of men in the UK were experiencing some form of common mental health condition. [3]
• Nearly three-quarters of adults who go missing are men. [4]
• Men are nearly three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol and three times as likely to report frequent drug use. [5]

These statistics do not reveal the whole picture as mental health difficulties in men are often under-reported.  This, in-part, is due to factors that include stigma and societal expectations. In comparison to women, men are almost half as likely to  seek professional help for their mental health concerns.   So raising awareness of mental health difficulties is not only beneficial to helping improve the lives of many men, it can also help prevent the consequences of ignoring these problems. 

What are some of the symptoms that men may experience?

There are a number of changes which could indicate that your mental health is deteriorating. Here are some of the common symptoms:

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
• Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
• Increased worry or feeling stressed
• Misuse of alcohol, drugs, or both
• Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
• Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
• Engaging in high-risk activities
• Aches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behaviour
• Thoughts or behaviours that interfere with work, family, or social life
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

  What can I do?

• Reduce isolation, build social connections. Look for people who are positive and who you can relax with. 
• Try engaging in a hobby.  If you like walking or hiking, cooking or working out, reading or watching movies, make time for activities you enjoy
• Get regular exercise – much research shows that getting 20 minutes of physical activity 3 times per week, reduces the risk of depression and anxiety. Any exercise that increases your heart rate is worth looking at.
• Eat well – nourish your body with fresh foods and limit your intake of alcohol, sugars and processed foods.
• Consider seeing a mental health professional.  A counsellor or therapist can give you space and support to help you manage stress and difficulties that arise in your life.

If you want to improve your mental health, therapy can really help. An expert therapist can help you better understand any problems or mental health difficulties.  Your therapist can help you to discover ways to feel better about yourself, relax, have fun and enjoy life more.  Contact KlearMinds today to find out more or book an appointment with one of our highly skilled therapists.

References:

[1] MPs to examine men’s mental and physical health in new inquiry – Committees – UK Parliament

[2] https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7749/CBP-7749.pdf 

[3] Key data: mental health | Men’s Health Forum (menshealthforum.org.uk)

[4] https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/key-data-mental-health

[5] https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/key-data-mental-health