The Changing Face of Men’s Mental Health: Support, Strength, and Solutions
by: Sarah Cosway, Psychotherapist at Laura Greenwood Therapy
The Current State of Men’s Mental Health
When it comes to men’s mental health, the stats are shocking.
A study undertaken by The Priory (a Mental Health service) in the UK showed that 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health, and studies show that only 36% of the referrals to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services are for men.
And yet 77% of the men polled by The Priory admitted that they have experienced symptoms of common mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression, and sadly, a study by the charity Mind, found that between 2009 and 2019 the number of men experiencing suicidal thoughts had doubled.
The 2023 annual report for the Office for National Statistics reveals that males account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in England and Wales.
These figures illuminate the severity of the need to address men’s mental health.
Barriers for Men to Seeking Help
So why is there such a difference between men and women when it comes to mental health?
The Priory’s survey was very revealing and it’s easy to understand the reticence of men to seek help when they hold deeply embedded beliefs such as:
- “I don’t want to admit I need support”
- “I don’t want to appear weak”
- “I’m too embarrassed”
Despite great strides having been made in recent times, societal expectations and traditional masculinity norms still persist to the point that some men are fearful that seeking therapy will make them appear weak or vulnerable.
Social media has a significant part to play in this, with over a third of men saying that it negatively impacts on how they feel, and interestingly the number of men reporting that they worried about their appearance rose from 18% to 23% between 2009-2019 (a decade when social media became increasingly ever present in our lives).
Accessibility of services is also another factor with practical issues such as opening times and location of services being problematic.
And perhaps concerns about how male-friendly a service may be; for example, an individual may only feel comfortable speaking with a male therapist and assume (sometimes correctly) that only female therapists are available.
Driving Change
There is still a long way to go, but it’s not all doom and gloom – there have been improvements.
There has been, and continues to be, a growing awareness of men’s mental health issues and the study by Mind reports that compared to 2009, men in 2019 were three times more likely to see a therapist; which is really encouraging.
As technology has advanced and support is now available via remote technologies, men are reporting that they would be more likely to seek support than they were previously because they can access help at more convenient times and also can be afforded a degree of anonymity that perhaps weren’t available before.
You don’t have to worry about bumping into someone you know in the waiting room of your local therapy service when you can chat to your therapist from the comfort of your own home…or even your vehicle during your lunch break.
Despite these improvements, another significant reason that men cite for being put off from seeking help is not knowing where or how to look for help.
The Importance of Seeking Help and Where to Find It.
Initiatives such a Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month are fantastic ways of helping to raise awareness to both men and women of the challenges around supporting men’s wellbeing and emphasises that mental health support is equally important for both sexes.
Given some of the beliefs I mentioned above, it is really important to promote the message that seeking help is a sign of strength and to open dialogues to help break down the stigma that still persists for men around seeking help.
There are increasing numbers of male-focused support groups available in the UK.
Some are talking groups and others are activity based, being linked to a sport or hobby.
The point is that all of these give men an opportunity to open up in a safe and supportive environment with the potential for building important non-judgemental relationships which support their wellbeing.
Supportline has an amazing website linking to men’s support organisations and resources, which is a great starting point for finding an avenue of support that will suit you as an individual – we all have different needs and preferences, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this.
Conclusion
Everyone’s mental health journey is valid, and there is help and support within reach for every man who needs it.
Taking that first step to reach out isn’t just about you – it’s also about making a positive difference in the lives of those around you.
Remember that taking charge of your mental wellbeing is one of the most powerful decisions you can make not only for yourself but also for them.
Your mental health impacts your family, friends, and loved ones, and by seeking support you show true strength and commitment to both yourself and them, creating a ripple effect of wellbeing and support.
As awareness continues to grow and resources evolve, the path to healing becomes more accessible every day.
There is always hope, and there is always help.
There are options available to suit every comfort level, so there’s never been a better time to take that first step toward better mental health.
Don’t wait another day to prioritize your mental health – Take that first courageous step and reach out for the support you deserve
Sarah x
