Focusing on health can help men to support their well-being and break down stigmas
With a range of support available across the county, this Men’s Health Week (9-15 June) is a chance for men to talk about their health and wellbeing and to discover the support services available across the county.
This year the Men’s Health Week campaign is shining a spotlight on mental health. For men struggling with their mental health in Warwickshire, please speak to a friend or family member, and access one of the county’s dedicated support services by visiting Warwickshire County Council’s mental health webpages.
According to the BUPA Wellbeing Index:
50% of men have struggled with mental health difficulties at some point, yet fewer than half have sought medical advice. The Index also identified that 37% of UK men admit actively hiding their mental health issues from their partners, and 30% of the men surveyed said they didn’t know where to turn for advice or support.
There are a range of different services available for men to seek help for their mental health:
Men seeking a safe place to share their feelings can get in touch with a number of groups that have been set up with men and mental health in mind. One such group is MENtalk (Sky Blues in the Community) https://www.ccfc.co.uk/community
MENtalk is a weekly group session designed to bring men together to improve their wellbeing. MENtalk mixes psychologist led sessions alongside professional sport coaches to encourage talking and taking up physical activities to help members talk about their own experiences of anxiety and depression.Men’s Sheds encourages conversations, connections and creation for men of all ages, who are looking to improve their wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combating isolation. Men's sheds do this by getting members working on practical projects to help make, repair and repurpose projects in their local communities.
Research gathered by the UKMen’sShed Association (MSA ) Health and Wellbeing survey, 2023, suggests 96 per cent of Men’s Sheds attendees feel less lonely since joining a shed. Visit www.menssheds.org.uk/The national campaign It Takes Balls to Talk, uses sporting themes to encourage men to talk about how they feel. The campaign’s website highlights local mental health services available in Warwickshire that support with factors that can often impact mental health. These factors can be anything including bereavement, unemployment, financial or debt issues, family or relationship problems, alcohol or drug misuse, social isolation, low self-esteem, or other personal factors. Visit www.ittakesballstotalk.com
Wellbeing for Warwickshire which is a countywide service for anyone who needs support with their mental health and wellbeing. This support can be face-to-face, over the phone on 0800 616171, or online. The service offers drop-in hubs, one-to-one support, online counselling, dedicated phone line and online chat, and free courses and workshops to improve mental health. Visit www.wellbeingforwarwickshire.org.uk/