Men's Health Week
The impact of technology and social media on mental health is the focal point for this year’s Men’s Health Week.
The annual event, organised by the Men’s Health Forum and supported by the Trust, runs this week. With the aim of raising awareness about the health issues facing men, while encouraging them to speak out when faced with difficult personal situations. Recent statistics revealed that 40% of men do not talk about their mental health with their friends or family, meaning many suffer in silence, while also a quarter would not feel comfortable speaking to a GP about their mental health.
Not only does Men’s Health Week emphasise the importance of men’s health, but it also reminds us that there is help and advice out there. Whereby men can access information, services and treatment to live healthier, longer and more fulfilling lives.
Dr Jeremy Sandbrook, Consultant Psychiatrist says, “I think we are getting better at overcoming stigma, and it is becoming more acceptable for people to seek help in relation to their mental health. This said, in our society we still have a perception in some that ‘men do not cry’ or similar, and this sort of attitudes contributes to the situation where men are less likely to seek help when they really need it. We can tackle stigma by tackling myths about mental health, raising awareness, and making it easier and more acceptable to see help for mental health problems.”
Last year Men’s Health Week focussed on ‘DIY Man MOT’s’, which encouraged men to take notice of what’s going on in their body and mind
For 2023 Men’s Health Week is looking at men’s health and the internet and asking: Too much time on your tech? With technology as prominent as it has ever been in our lives, we are being asked if we are spending too much time looking at our electronic devices, from mobile phones to tablets.
While there are many upsides to owning the latest tech, with everything you need at your fingertips, there are pitfalls too and while all those apps you are so familiar with are great to use they can also be addictive, taking up hours of your day when your time can be devoted to more ;meaningful things away from the glare of a screen.
Technology and social media can have a serious impact on mental health. 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem such as stress, anxiety or depression. Some men feel uncomfortable about speaking out which could lead to a detrimental effect on their mental health if their problems are left unattended. The latest statistics show that 75% of UK suicides are male. It has also been revealed that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45.
“Men are just as likely to experience significant mental health problems as women. Men are statistically less likely to seek help for these problems. Unfortunately men are also more likely to die by suicide than women. It is therefore really important that we raise awareness about men's mental health and to all we can to promote more people seeking support when they need help.” Dr Jeremy Sandbrook
For men’s health support you can check out our Talking Therapies webpages which provides free, confidential talking therapies for people who are registered with a GP in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, aged 16 years and over. You can also access support via our Mental Health Helpline, which is open 24/7. Staff are available to provide advice, guidance, signposting, and support over the phone to anyone who may be worried about their own or somebody else’s mental health. Call free on 0800 038 5300.;