Spotlight on Men’s Health

The days of grinning and bearing it are thankfully fading. Historically, this unfortunate expectation has affected men more than women. In recognition of Movember, we're looking at the key health challenges facing men.

Physical health - Men are typically less inclined to visit the doctor at the first sign of health problems. However, In the case of most illnesses, early detection is vital to improving recovery chances. 

Social and Mental health - Research has shown that men are more at risk of isolation. One of the reasons is that they tend to make friends less easily than women. Isolation is dangerous as it can lead to individuals being left without proper support channels. Mental health-related struggles are one of the main challenges men face. There are an infinite number of reasons why someone may end up feeling suicidal but feeling isolated and unable to talk through what’s wrong will be a contributing factor in many cases. 

So where can I go for help?

The most suitable support for you will depend on your situation and how you feel.

• Visit your doctor - Doctors are trained to help with mental as well as physical health and can help you access the treatment you need. They are also a good place to find out about what support is available in your community, including referrals to local support groups.   

• Speak to your line manager, HR, or occupational health at work - Reaching out to your employer can be difficult sometimes and you may feel anxious about doing so, however, employers have a duty of care to their staff and will have avenues of advice and support they can give you to try and help you with whatever you may be struggling with.

• Some employers have benefits programmes which can contain a variety of mental wellbeing resources, such as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). It’s worth checking with your employer to see if this a service they provide and what other support you may be able to receive.