Men’s Mental health awareness Month
Hello, wonderful souls,
This week, I wanted to talk about men's mental health, as June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month -and I know not many people will be talking about it.
Men are often raised to believe they shouldn’t express their feelings, or even that it's not okay to have them. I’ve found this mindset especially prevalent in Yorkshire, where one of the most common sayings you’ll hear is, “Be ‘ryte.”
Below are a few staggering and heartbreaking facts about men’s mental health and suicide:
1.6 million men will attempt to take their own lives this year, and most won’t tell a single person before they do.
Suicide is the number one killer of men under 50.
2 in 5 men (43%) admit to feeling worried or low—a rise from 37% in 2009.
525,000 men die from suicide every year.
Men’s mental health is rarely embraced or openly discussed by society, but it is real—and sadly, it isn’t going away.
Men aren't taught to communicate their needs in the same way women often are. And they don’t just wake up one morning and suddenly fall apart - it’s the small, accumulating struggles. Corners of darkness, grief, depression, financial worries, relationship issues, and the burden of suppression.
I have friends and close family members who suffer in silence. As someone who has battled depression myself, I always encourage my partner, brother, dad, stepdad, and stepson to talk when they need to. And even if they don’t, there are other ways we can support them.
Here are a few gentle ways to help:
Be kind—they have feelings just like we do.
Try not to constantly nag them to do things. If they’re feeling low, this could make it worse. They need rest too.
Encourage them to do things they enjoy. And guess what? You don’t have to do it with them! Let them go fishing, go karting, play their favorite game in peace.
Treat them! A loving relationship is a two-way street. Surprise them with a home-cooked meal, a day out golfing, or even just cut the grass so they don’t have to.
The small things go a long way. There’s no need to be forceful. Let them open up in their own time, but make sure they know you’re there, always willing to listen - a shoulder to lean on when they need it.
I hope this message resonates and reminds you that men’s mental health matters just as much as ours.
Love always,
Zoe xx
