Men are suffering and nobody cares

Fellow Guide Liverpool writer Kate Reilly and I joined The Radio City Talk Panel recently and we discussed at length various subjects. The topics varied from Jet2 banning alcohol from being sold on flights before 8am, all the way to the fantastic Liverpool Loves at the pier head. However, one subject stuck out more than the others – The subject of male body image and men’s mental health.

You see, for many years, social media has been making us believe we have hundreds or even thousands of friends. But this isn’t the case, is it? For men, roughly 12 percent over the age of 18 don’t have a close friend they would confess a serious life problem to. This is a major problem.

Eating disorders, dieting and extreme exercising are as much of a problem for UK secondary school boys as for girls, suggests a survey of more than 1,000 eight- to 18-year-old boys polled, 55% would consider changing their diet to look better. And 23% said they believed there was a perfect male body. “Boys are increasingly worried about their appearance,” said Karen Fraser, of the Credos advertising industry think tank, which conducted the survey. Most of the boys polled saw eating disorders (56%) as an issue for both boys and girls.

Soon after your mid-20s, your social circle shrinks, according to a recent study by scientists from Finland and Oxford University. The teams analysed data from 3 million mobile phone users to identify the frequency and patterns of whom they contacted and when, as well as overall activity within their networks. Men and women were found to be socially active, making plenty of friends and social contacts until the age of 25, after which point they started losing them rapidly. Women losing them at an initially faster rate than men. The average 25-year-old woman contacts about 17.5 people per month, while a man contacts 19 people.

Here is the thing – This isn’t just the Facts of life. This is a real problem.

A YouGov poll carried out by The Movember Foundation found that 12 percent of men over the age of 18 don’t have a close friend they would discuss a serious life problem with. That’s two and a half million men across Britain. Over a quarter of men said they got in touch with their mates less than once a month, and 9 percent said they don’t remember the last time they made contact with their friends. Research by the World Health Organisation has shown that a lack of close friends has a significant impact on men’s health in the long term, leaving men at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide.

“Many men we’ve spoken to don’t actually realise how shallow their relationships have become until they face a significant challenge, such as bereavement, breakdown of a relationship, fatherhood or loss of employment – and yet that is of course when good friends are needed most.” – Sarah Coghlan, head of Movember UK.

This post has suddenly took a male centred perspective, hasn’t it? Make no mistake about it, when it comes to mental health issues – nature seems to be extremely sexist. Maybe due to society’s expectations of masculinity – Men are suffering. Just over three out of four suicides (76%) are by men and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 (Reference: ONS) While 12.5% of men in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders. Men are also nearly three times more likely than women to become alcohol dependent (8.7% of men are alcohol dependent compared to 3.3% of women – Health and Social Care Information Centre).

So here is an important and vital question – What are you doing to help your friends?

More often than not, nobody is looking for the warning signs. The person who is smiling, laughing and socialising to the outside world can also be dying inside. The person who is the butt of the jokes may seem to have thick skin, but inside they may be wounded by the harsh words and criticism they are getting. People see life through Facebook and assume that your highlights are the only thing you live through. It’s time we all stop – We need to start being friends again and not just Facebook acquaintances.

Now we have looked at the statistics and the facts, how about we take a different approach now. How about thinking about your male friends who are going through tough or difficult times and checking in on them? How about asking them to go for a pint or something to eat?

In such a social society, let’s not forget to love and care for one another – and most of all, let us not forget to look after ourselves.

Are you struggling? Or do you know someone who is? Read below for your mental health services in Liverpool.

Talk Liverpool

A free NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support, and employment advice. Aims to help people who have common mental health problems such as feeling stressed, feeling low in mood (depressed) or very nervous (anxiety). Service is available through GPs in Liverpool, a range of voluntary sector organisations and by self-referral either online (www.talkliverpool.nhs.uk) or by phone (0151 228 2300).

Chasing the Stigma

Set up by Liverpool comedian Jake Mills, from Croxteth Park, who was suffering from depression in 2013 and tried to take his own life.

Since then he’s turned his life around and is devoting his time to helping others dealing with depression.

Website (www.chasingthestigma.co.uk) includes a Hub of Hope database of grassroots organisations working to tackle mental health issues.

Samaritans

Free helpline anyone who needs to talk about tough times can ring. You can call, email, text, write or talk to trained volunteers face-to-face. Calling Samaritans is free of charge from a landline or mobile. The number is 116 123. For more information go towww.samaritans.org

CALM

CALM, the campaign against living miserably, is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the biggest single killer of men aged 20 – 45 in the UK.

Offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via a helpline (0800 585858) and website (www.thecalmzone.net) .

SANE

Aims to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness. There’s a helpline available on 0300 304 7000 from 6pm – 11pm every evening. There’s also an online support forum at www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum