Menkind: Facts and advice about men's mental health
Every month, ITV Anglia's Menkind series delves into a different issue affecting men in the East of England. Mental health awareness week runs from 13-19 May, so it was only right that we make mental health May's focus.
What is mental health?Mental health is all about emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others and make choices.
Men and mental health
1 in 8 men suffer from a common mental health problem
Suicide is the biggest killer in men under 45
Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women
Men have measurably lower access to the social support of friends, relatives and community
Men of all ages are less likely than women to seek help for all types of problems (e.g. depression, substance misuse, stressful life events)
Suicide
In the UK, men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women
Middle aged men are at greatest risk of suicide
Men in the lowest social class are up to ten times more at risk of suicide than those in the highest social class
Mental health in our region
Over half of people surveyed by Norfolk County Council said they don’t get the amount of social contact they would like. 25% said they never leave their home
Organisations such as Menscraft have recognised male mental health as a serious issue and are bringing together men’s groups across the region to help get men talking, connecting and getting the help they need
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK. It's packed with useful information and tools to help people stay safe in a mental health crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. Recently launched in Norfolk and Suffolk, it provides links to support groups across the region
Useful websitesIf you or anyone you know is affected by mental health issues, here is a selection of websites that offer support: