Mental Health For Men Is There Enough Support ?

[GabrielC]

It's was heart breaking to read on the ' Derbyshire Times ' news website  that a 19 year old decided to end his life by jumping off a multi storey car park in Chesterfield . The car park is on New Beetwell Street it is  not the first time it has happened at this car park a similar tragedy took place a few years ago  which was another man but older.

 

With the stress of the cost of living crisis taking it's toll on people men trend not to talk about their worries and often let it build up over time many don't feel comfortable about talking about it . Mental health services have been badly hit by cuts at a time when it's needed more than ever suicide rates are going up. We hear politicians say we will do more but nothing improves and the old favourite gets wheeled out lessons will be learned then into the next tragedy. 

 

What further support do you think is needed and how can we make it easier for men to seek help ? 

[The_DADDY]

1 minute ago, GabrielC said:

It's was heart breaking to read on the ' Derbyshire Times ' news website  that a 19 year old decided to end his life by jumping off a multi storey car park in Chesterfield . The car park is on New Beetwell Street it is  not the first time it has happened at this car park a similar tragedy took place a few years ago  which was another man but older.

 

With the stress of the cost of living crisis taking it's toll on people men trend not to talk about their worries and often let it build up over time many don't feel comfortable about talking about it . Mental health services have been badly hit by cuts at a time when it's needed more than ever suicide rates are going up. We hear politicians say we will do more but nothing improves and the old favourite gets wheeled out lessons will be learned then into the next tragedy. 

 

What further support do you think is needed and how can we make it easier for men to seek help ? 

Stop telling them to "man up" would be a good start. I suffered mental illness for a good portion of my adult life since I received a brain injury at work 

25 years ago the help was there and it contributed to getting me back on track. These days though? I'm having a right mare trying to get any help for my son. They just keep changing his meds and telling me to bring him back in 3 to 6 months time 🙄

[cressida]

4 minutes ago, The_DADDY said:

Stop telling them to "man up" would be a good start. I suffered mental illness for a good portion of my adult life since I received a brain injury at work 

25 years ago the help was there and it contributed to getting me back on track. These days though? I'm having a right mare trying to get any help for my son. They just keep changing his meds and telling me to bring him back in 3 to 6 months time 🙄

Can you ask to see a specialist?  I take it he's only seen a G.P.

[GabrielC]

1 minute ago, The_DADDY said:

Stop telling them to "man up" would be a good start. I suffered mental illness for a good portion of my adult life since I received a brain injury at work 

25 years ago the help was there and it contributed to getting me back on track. These days though? I'm having a right mare trying to get any help for my son. They just keep changing his meds and telling me to bring him back in 3 to 6 months time 🙄

The old favourite seems to be give people medication and send them on  their way.  Side effects are never mentioned I was once given medication for depression  I got that many side effectsI had to stop never again.

[cressida]

Used to be a standing joke at my school that Matron used to give everyone an aspirin for everything!

[Mister M]

13 minutes ago, GabrielC said:

It's was heart breaking to read on the ' Derbyshire Times ' news website  that a 19 year old decided to end his life by jumping off a multi storey car park in Chesterfield . The car park is on New Beetwell Street it is  not the first time it has happened at this car park a similar tragedy took place a few years ago  which was another man but older.

 

With the stress of the cost of living crisis taking it's toll on people men trend not to talk about their worries and often let it build up over time many don't feel comfortable about talking about it . Mental health services have been badly hit by cuts at a time when it's needed more than ever suicide rates are going up. We hear politicians say we will do more but nothing improves and the old favourite gets wheeled out lessons will be learned then into the next tragedy. 

 

What further support do you think is needed and how can we make it easier for men to seek help ? 

Good questions

 

-Men in the public eye being open about their mental health difficulties is good - it helps remove some of the stigma surrounding having poor mental health.

-Writing to your MP letting them know that there isn't enough support for men with mental health difficulties. My MP is Paul Bloomfield and I've found him to be very good. I know not all MPs are responsive, but they should be aware when there is a deficit of a service in their constituency, and that the need is very much there.

-Whenever I've had difficulties, and needed to talk I found it difficult to open up, perhaps re thinking the traditional talk and off load therapies. I've found that talking while doing something else practical, such as gardening or walking is much easier - simple because there isn't that eye contact. And of course the internet overcomes the eye contact factor. Perhaps that's just me as quite a shy person, and not necessarily a male thing.

-Campaigns are good. I'm surprised there aren't more in our cities and towns on World Mental Health Day - getting people to sign petitions, or asking the public what they need from health and social care bodies for their mental health.

 

Just a few ideas

 

[HeHasRisen]

Andys Man Club on a Monday night is a cracking resource, I dont go myself but I do know someone who does, and says it helps him immensely.

[El Cid]

11 hours ago, GabrielC said:

It's was heart breaking to read on the ' Derbyshire Times ' news website  that a 19 year old decided to end his life by jumping off a multi storey car park in Chesterfield . The car park is on New Beetwell Street it is  not the first time it has happened at this car park a similar tragedy took place a few years ago  which was another man but older.

 

With the stress of the cost of living crisis taking it's toll on people men trend not to talk about their worries and often let it build up over time many don't feel comfortable about talking about it . Mental health services have been badly hit by cuts at a time when it's needed more than ever suicide rates are going up. We hear politicians say we will do more but nothing improves and the old favourite gets wheeled out lessons will be learned then into the next tragedy. 

 

What further support do you think is needed and how can we make it easier for men to seek help ? 

Surely most peoples stresses run much deeper?

The role of men has changed over recent decades, a man used to be the head of the household, at least in theory.

Since the NHS waiting list is almost at 8 million, all services are stretched.

[cressida]

1 hour ago, El Cid said:

 

....a man used to be the head of the household, at least in theory.

 

....we've been trying to make things better ever since but they won't lie down.

[GabrielC]

2 hours ago, El Cid said:

Surely most peoples stresses run much deeper?

The role of men has changed over recent decades, a man used to be the head of the household, at least in theory.

Since the NHS waiting list is almost at 8 million, all services are stretched.

Yes there are many factors that could be at play but if you are struggling to pay your bills it adds to the pressure. I have known men who totally refuse to tell their wives or partners the truth due to pride of been the head of the household then the who thing starts to play out sometimes with tragic results.