Shifting the narrative on men's mental health

Although there have been many improvements in attitudes towards mental health over the years, there is still a lot of stigma that prevents people opening up, particularly for men.

Many men don’t open up and get the help they need even if they are struggling. A lot of them feel that they aren’t allowed to need help, and they fear what their peers are going to think. However, I often find that, once that initial barrier is down, it's full steam ahead and conversations start to flow.

The ways in which men and women present mental health distress are different, due to the different expectations and responsibilities put on both genders. Men tend to hide their distress more, while some women are more open about their feelings.

A culture of “manning-up” is still pervasive and can often be the cause of men not being open about how they feel. There are still cultural expectations that men need to be the provider, they need to be strong, and so getting mental health support can be seen as evidence of vulnerability and weakness. Sometimes men can even make fun of one another for opening up about mental health.

Although stigma is still a big issue, we are making steps in the right direction. One example of this is the men’s mental health group I help to run. The fact that local men have reached out, and are receiving support with West Sussex Mind, is evidence that attitudes towards men’s mental health are improving.

At my men’s mental health group, I see and support men struggling with a variety of different mental health conditions and experiences. Some have depression and anxiety, while others have difficulties associated with managing their neurodivergence.

Abuse by a partner, such as a female partner, is something that comes up in my groups and it’s especially difficult for men to open about their experience of this. I often use my own personal experience of abuse to encourage other men to open up about this issue.

Our men's mental health group enables men to talk about their mental health, but it’s also a community and support network for men locally. Men are able to be open about their issues and emotions here in a way they aren’t able to anywhere else in daily life.

In addition to our men’s mental health group, West Sussex Mind also raises awareness and provides information through its our website and social media, attends local events in West Sussex to spread the word and, most importantly, supports men directly through one to-one and group support.

Whilst attitudes to men’s mental health are improving, there is still some way to go and there are a variety of things you can do to improve attitudes and support the men in your life.

You can support the men in your life by being open about your own experience with mental health, allow men to be vulnerable, show understanding and listen with empathy - without allowing the conversation to become toxic or controversial.