When discussing men’s health, our focus typically centres on organic diseases that men may be genetically predisposed to, or conditions specific to the male anatomy. However, you might be surprised to learn that the biggest killer of men under 50 is not testicular or prostate cancer – it’s ourselves.
The Crisis of Male Mental Health
Men’s mental health is a major health crisis facing the UK. The statistics paint a bleak picture; suicide is the number one killer of men in the UK under 50.
On average, a heart-wrenching 109 people die by suicide every week in England and Wales, and a staggering three-quarters of those deaths are men. While these statistics are essential for understanding the scale of the problem, it’s important to recognise that behind the figures lie the lives of fathers, sons, friends, and brothers. These are real people, and a stark reminder of the need to address the mental health crisis that is claiming the lives of those we love.
Despite the clear scale of the crisis, studies report that men experience internalised stigma associated with mental illness, with participants citing feelings of fear, shame, embarrassment and guilt around the subject. The consequence of this is that men tend not to seek the help they need. For example, men account for only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies.
We must take the time to understand the issues surrounding men’s mental health, including the societal and cultural roots of the problem, to create a culture of empathy, support and open dialogue.
