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Men’s mental health statistics paint a stark picture: men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, leading to issues that affect their physical health and relationships. MPs are launching an inquiry into men’s mental and physical health, with areas of inquiry including what is driving higher rates of suicide and reaching men at high risk of isolation and poor mental health. Charities across the country are asking the government for a national men’s health strategy that will aim to tackle these issues.
In this conference we will take a multifaceted approach to exploring men’s mental health, from the lived experience of men’s eating disorders and gender norms, how we can improve mental health services for men and case studies of men’s mental health during the perinatal period. We aim to foster an environment that allows for candid discussions, fresh insights and novel strategies from professionals seeking to make a difference.
“In 2021, there were over 5,000 suicides registered in England. Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50 and around three quarters of deaths from suicides each year are men. On top of this, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the highest rates of suicide in men have been in mixed and white ethnic groups. The Samaritans answer a call for help every 10 seconds, and tragically, around every 90 minutes someone dies from suicide in the UK alone.”
“Body image is often seen as an issue that only affects women – but it is clear from our data that it is affecting millions of men in the UK as well. Men are also surrounded by images of idealised body types – through advertising, reality TV shows, or digital media. It is important to recognize how this media environment can impact men. The consequences of body image issues can be serious. Shockingly, almost one in 20 of the men who responded to our survey said they had deliberately hurt themselves due to body image issues. We must recognise the significant negative impact a media environment can have on mental health.”
This conference will enable you to:
- Network with colleagues who are working to improve services, practice and treatment to reduce preventable suicides
- Discuss the national data and evidence base currently on men’s mental health, and use this to direct and target services where access to care is hindered
- Reflect on the lived experience of men with eating disorders and why men are underrepresented in eating disorder services
- Understand the impact of traditional masculinity norms on mental health
- Understand how social prescribing projects play a role in reaching men at high risk of isolation
- Improve how the health care system mitigates the impact of perinatal anxiety and depression on fathers
- Understand the need to recognise gambling as a health concern and the contribution it has on mental health issues and loss of life through suicide
- Reflect on the relationship between alcohol and mental health
- Work in innovative ways to improve the specific challenges black men living in the UK face accessing mental health services
- Identify key strategies for destigmatising help-seeking behaviour for men
- Understand how we can better support men at high risk of isolation with community suicide prevention programmes
- Understand the relationship between male body image and mental health
- Self assess and reflect on your own practice
- Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5hrs training for CPD subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes
