Carmen Bryce
Communications Lead, Mental Health Ireland
In a world where many are still grappling with the difference between sex versus gender, men’s mental health is a hot topic, particularly around masculinity and mental health.
The key issues that impact a man’s mental health are around perception and connection. Men are plagued by how they are ‘’supposed’’ to act, look and feel. They are far less likely to seek advice and support, be that friendly or formal and these attribute to the stark reality that men are three times more likely to die from suicide than women.
In Ireland 437 people died by suicide in 2018 – 327 men (75%) and 110 women (25%). The male suicide rate was 14.3 per 100,000 at the time, compared to the female suicide rate of 4.6 per 100,000.
Mental health promotion is more valuable than ever to help young men from an early age to learn about protecting and improving their mental health.
Promoting importance of mental health support
Equally, a lot has improved in recent years as there were 340 recorded suicides last year – a rate of 6.8 per 100,000 people, which is a significant decrease on previous years. Initiatives such as Men’s Sheds and the Men’s Mental Health forum, both fantastic initiatives, have been advocating for men and tirelessly working towards better mental health for all.
Mental health promotion is more valuable than ever to help young men from an early age to learn about protecting and improving their mental health.
One of Mental Health Ireland’s programmes to support education is the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which are proven to improve and maintain positive mental health:
- Connect with others
- Keep learning
- Take notice
- Give to others
- Be active
Maintaining a healthy diet, connecting with others and being active are of high value. It is proven that men involved with sports, clubs and groups are less likely to suffer mental health challenges.
Mental health is something everyone has, it is volatile for both men and women and its state depends heavily on internal and external factors for each individual.We advise those with mental health challenges to first seek help with their GP, look into local supports in your area and look at ways to manage and maintain good mental health using the five ways to wellbeing model.