Men’s Health Awareness Month

November marks the start of Movember – Men’s Health Awareness Month – with the aim to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, prostrate cancer and testicular cancer.

We know that Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with men aged  45-49 years having the highest suicide rate. 

Rarely is there just one reason for deteriorating mental health and we know that factors like finances, housing, relationship breakdown, loneliness and isolation, alcohol and substance abuse, and shame, all play a part. Men often need both practical as well as emotional support to navigate these challenges.  

But there is hope – Brendan Maher, Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Movember explains, “How and why suicides happen is incredibly complex. What we do know is that helping men establish better social connections can improve their overall wellbeing and reduce the risk of suicide.” 

In recent years we have seen much-needed services launching to specifically support the mental health needs of men and, as part of this, peer support groups run by men, for men. These are some of the local groups and support  available …

Men’s Monthly Club

Men’s Monthly Club provides essential mental health support exclusively to men. A truly unique club, they offer one-to-one sessions, regular group pool nights, personal training sessions and one-off events to support their users needs and interests – all free of charge.

Set up by Paul Ellis in 2020, his main aim is “to make sure no-one suffers in the way I did”.    After losing two close friends to suicide and facing the breakdown of his marriage Paul’s mental health spiralled. It’s this lived experience that informs the support he now provides. “The reason I do what I do with the Men’s Monthly Club is based around what I would have wanted to make myself better. It’s about offering support that I would have liked to have had at the time.” 

https://www.mensmonthlyclub.co.uk/ 

For Men To Talk 

Luke Newman is the founder of For Men To Talk, the community initiative offering both virtual and in-person support. With regular meetups in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Stockport and online – they also have walking and fishing groups, as well as a dedicated group for men with autism. 

Luke explains that “The idea to start For Men To Talk stemmed from my own experiences grappling with anxiety, depression, and grief, feelings that became all too familiar to me after I tragically lost my mother and sister to cancer. Despite having sought out counselling and therapy to cope with my emotional struggles, I couldn’t help but notice a glaring absence of support groups specifically tailored to men who needed a platform to voice their emotions and experiences.”

“I understand that not all men find it as easy to open up, which is why I believe it is essential to foster a sense of camaraderie and understanding through these informal group meetings.”

https://formentotalk.co.uk/

The Man Cave 

The Man Cave UK is a mental health support group providing a safe space for men to openly discuss their mental well-being, share experiences, and seek help. It aims to break the stigma around men’s mental health, promote honest conversations, and reduce male suicide by connecting members to support services.

They have regular meetups both inside and out in nature, plus organise physical health and wellbeing events. From stress reduction techniques and mindfulness practices to nutrition and exercise, their events cover a broad spectrum of topics essential for fostering mental health resilience.

https://www.facebook.com/p/the-man-cave-uk-100090054165875/ 

https://www.themancaveuk.co.uk/what-we-do/ 

This Movember, as we shine a light on men’s mental health, it’s crucial to remember that no one should face these challenges alone. As Paul from Men’s Monthly Club says, “One of my aims is to re-educate the men I work with to be more open and accepting of their mental health challenges, it’s not a sign of weakness, you are entitled to cry. I hope that in turn men pass these new ways of communicating on to their kids and the next generation.” 

If you or someone you know needs support, explore local and national resources here: https://suicidepreventionhubblmk.co.uk/middle-aged-men/.