Men’s Health Week: Let’s all talk for better mental health

Men’s Health Week: Let’s all talk for better mental health

Over the past year the Covid-19 pandemic has challenged people in ways they would never have expected and many of us have felt a decline in our mental health and wellbeing, which is why mental health will be the focus for Men’s Health Week, 14 to 21 June.

Even before the pandemic, men’s mental health was a cause for concern, and after the year we’ve had the awareness campaign, which runs every year just before Father’s Day, is encouraging men to look after their mental health by talking to friends, family and those they most trust.

With further lockdown restrictions set to be lifted you may have questions, concerns and anxieties about returning to ‘normal’ life, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and to reach out to someone close to you to talk through how you’re feeling.

Will you join the CAN DO Challenge?

Of course, better mental health and wellbeing doesn’t only come from talking. The charity behind Men’s Health Week, the Men’s Health Forum, is asking as many people as possible to try the CAN DO Challenge to boost their mental wellbeing.

The five ways to wellbeing are five things we can all do that are scientifically-proven to help us feel better.

As there are five working days in the week the new CAN DO challenge asks everyone to try each of the five ways to wellbeing over the course of Men’s Health Week.

Every day, a different way

The five ways are:

  • Connect – connect with other people (eg. call an old friend you haven’t spoken too/with since before lockdown) #connectmonday
  • (Be) Active – move your body (eg. go for a run/walk/swim/gardening) #activetuesday
  • Notice – take notice of the environment around you (eg. turn off your phone for an hour or /have a break from social media) #noticewednesday
  • Discover – learn something new (eg. read a book you haven’t read before) #discoverthursday
  • Offer (or give) – do something for someone else (eg. volunteer for a local community group) #offerfriday

Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said:

As restrictions ease and we start to emerge from the pandemic we will find the world is a different place. It’s normal to feel different too. As society opens up it is really important that we open up too and talk about the concerns or anxieties we may be experiencing. Sometimes men find it difficult to talk about how they’re feeling but hopefully Men’s Health Week will encourage men to talk honestly with friends and family.

 “If you are finding things tough right now please do take some time to look after your mental health and wellbeing by giving the CAN DO Challenge a go or checking out the free resources on the Kind to Your Mind website.

 “No one should feel they don’t know where to turn as there’s so much information, advice and support available.”

Mental health support

Being Kind to Your Mind has never been more important after the challenges of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions which have left many of us feeling a dip in our mental health.

Kind to Your Mind has lots of advice and useful resources to help look after your mental health. It is home to ALMA – the dedicated health and wellbeing website developed by the NHS and councils in Cheshire and Merseyside for local people. Here you can access a range of free online therapy programmes which include short modules on dealing with stress, getting better sleep, improving resilience and coping with your emotions.

Their online podcast series consists of a range of useful conversations with top tips and practical advice to help improve mental health, with their most recent podcast discussing Anxiety and Sleep.

You can also get a free NHS-approved Mind Plan from The Better Health – Every Mind Matters website. Simply answer five quick questions you will get a free plan with practical tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel more in control.

Further support

If you’d rather chat to someone you can contact one of the agencies below. You can also call one of these agencies if you have concerns about someone you know.

If you are in mental health crisis and you need urgent help, please call the NHS Mental Health crisis line on 0800 051 1508.  NHS staff will then support you to get the help you need. – Available for people of all ages, including children and young people, available 24/7. Call Freephone 0800 051 1508.

  • Samaritans– a national registered charity with local branches, available around the clock. Freephone: 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website.
  • The Silver Lineis a helpline which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for anyone aged 55 and over. It is free to call on 0800 4 70 80 90 from a mobile or landline.
  • CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably– a registered charity, which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 or visit the CALM website.
  • AMPARO– support after suicide – offering advice and support around suicide prevention as well as support to adults, children and young people affecting by suicide. Find out more by calling 0330 088 9255, emailing referrals@listening-ear.co.uk, visit the website at listening-ear.co.uk/amparo or follow on Twitter @AMPARO_LEM
  • SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)– meeting the needs and overcoming the isolation experienced by people over the age of 18 who have been bereaved by suicide. Find out more by calling 0300 111 5065, emailing support@hotmail.com, visit the website at https://uksobs.org/or follow on Twitter @SOBSCharity.