For Men's Health Awareness month, we are looking at the charities and companies trying to raise awareness, make a positive change and support men who may need a mate.
With suicide the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and additional ages on the increase, check out these resources to see how you can help.
As well as mental health concerns, there are physical health conditions affecting men which need further awareness. With Christmas coming and it being one of the loneliness times of the year, are there any positive steps you can take for your own wellbeing or to recognise and support others on their journey.
Follow our recommendations and key contacts to keep note of. You never know when you may need them. Click on the charities name to be directed to their website.
CALM
We have started our recommendations with CALM. The calm zone campaigns against living miserably, with its current focus on suicide. With strong facts to support its work, it provides a frontline service when anyone is at crisis point, as well as focusing on supporting communities and raising awareness through running campaigns.
As a charity, it has been supporting men since it started in 1997, but women are also able to get involved. There is advice for other worries which can affect someone's mental wellbeing, not only suicide.
If you are worried about someone, want to raise awareness or get guidance about what to do if someone you know is in need, it is a good contact to keep hold of as they are available to support you or someone you know 365 days a year.
One scary fact which has stuck in our minds "There are 18 deaths a day with under 45-year-old males through suicide". That needs to change. What can you do?
Samaritans
We continue to look at organisations available for support. For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Samaritans are available to help anyone who needs it.
Every 6 seconds someone makes contact with them, which is an alarming rate, but also good to know the service is working. With focus on changing the way people think about suicide, starting with self-harm, the Samaritans are there to support anyone with resources accessible to all. The Samaritans are raising awareness in the workplace, schools, military and prison services, as well as fund raising.
With a no judgement approach, the Samaritans are there to help save lives. Keep hold of the number, but if you also have spare time to volunteer, then why not get in contact.
Men’s Health Forum
"1 man in 5 dies before 65".. An impactful fact on their homepage!
Men's Health Forum is an organisation we have selected for Men's health awareness month. Their mission is to improve the health of men and boys. An inclusive charity across the UK, involving everyone, especially individuals in disadvantaged communities to provide information, services and treatments to help individuals thrive and live a healthier lifestyle.
The volume of information available is impressive, no wonder over a million people contact them per year. Targeting local authorities, councils and the NHS, they are making an impact to support their mission.
One thing we have enjoyed is the man's MOT manual, making it easy to help provide guidance to healthier living.
Time to change
Not only for Men's health awareness month, time to change is trying to improve how we consider mental health and end discrimination.
Launched 12 years ago, Time to Change is promoting for you to #AskTwice and support the people around you. Don't let anyone suffer in isolation.
Challenging how individuals think and behave around the topic, improving attitudes in all communities is the main focus. No one should be treated differently because of their mental health, whether it is in the workplace, children or students, their impact has shown improvements over the last 10 years.
Click on their website to see how you can contribute towards their mission to continue with the growth made so far and how to ask twice when approaching a friend. Not everyone will be honest the first time you check in with them. You can see locally what work they are doing near you, take a quiz to test your knowledge and gain access to resources for support and guidance. They are not only specific to the UK. Read about the work they are achieving globally.
Movember
We end our recommendations for Men's Health Awareness Month with two references, but that doesn't mean it should be the end of your exploration of your own pursuit of positive physical health and mental wellbeing. Our first recommendation is from Mind and the New Economics Foundation research regarding the five ways to wellbeing, which include; connection, being active, giving, taking note and learning. When looking at your health you should consider the mental elements as well as the physical. There are great links between the two, as well as sleep quality, nutrition and social aspects.
What one small change could you take away from the resources released this month to aid you with your health and wellbeing knowledge?
Want to increase your awareness? Find out more on our website or drop us a line to see what training we have on offer. Stay connected. Remember to #AskTwice and congratulations to all the Movember peeps who have raised funds for this month.
Check out their website to see how males and females can get involved with future events and fundraising.
