Thursday 17-11-2022 - 16:07

November is Men’s Health awareness month and following two years of uncertainty and ever-changing lives as a result of the pandemic, men’s mental health is at the forefront of concern with a growing number of men suffering from poor mental health. According to mentalhealth.org in 2017 “nearly 6000 suicides were recorded in Great Britain. Of these, 75% were men. Suicide is the largest cause of death for men under 50”. There continues to be reports of men taking their own lives because of pressure, anxiety, stress and trying to conform to traditional societal expectations and gender roles which require men to ‘be masculine’ and exhibit traits such as dominance, power ad control. Such men are expected to not show emotion or feelings as that is deemed to be manly.   November marks an important time to talk about the mental health of men and how we can reduce stigma, do away with societal expectations and increase the likelihood of support uptake among men. 

Life can throw us curveballs. Yet even when things seem tough, there’s a lot we can do to look after ourselves and others. 

What to do if you are worried about someone’s mental health 

•    Reach out and let them know you are there to listen without judgement
•    Try and keep in touch, it may be difficult for someone experiencing mental health problems to talk about their feelings. A text or a phone call could make a massive difference!
•    Find about local services that may be of benefit to them. They may feel more comfortable speaking with someone who does not know them where they can be provided with professional advice. 
•    Help them get help. Reassure them that it’s okay to ask for help and that support is out there. You can help them contact their GP or signpost them to useful services you have found. 
•    Take care of yourself, looking after someone can be hard, make sure you are also looking after your own well-being. 

Common signs and symptoms associated with mental illness

•    Constant low energy
•    Avoiding friends and social activities
•    Ignoring personal hygiene
•    Drug or alcohol abuse
•    Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
•    Difficulty sleeping 
•    Noticeable changes in mood 

 

What to do if your mental health is suffering

If you are worried about your own mental health you can start by making simple changes such as talking about your feelings, keeping active and eating well. If you do find yourself concerned that your mental health is declining, talk to your GP. We understand that it can be a really daunting step but most people find that speaking their GP and getting help and support can make a huge difference. 
You do not have to go through it alone, reach out to a friend or a family member and talk to them about what you are struggling with. At the Students’ Union we also have an advice and support lead they are happy to listen and offer support!

Students at Liverpool Hope University are taking place in Movember (To find out more about the movement click the link https://uk.movember.com/ ) They are fundraising during November to fight mental health issues, suicide, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. To donate click the link LHU Movember fundraiser

Useful services 

•    SANEline- 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm)
•    Mind- 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm) http://www.mind.org.uk/ 
•    Talk Liverpool - https://www.talkliverpool.nhs.uk/ (24/7)
•    CALM - 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-Midnight) http://www.thecalmzone.net 
•    Papyrus- Papyrus UK 08000684141
•    James’ Place - James' Place Charity
•    Sean’s Place - https://seansplace.org.uk/