OK men – how many of you have been told to man up in your life?
Been told showing feelings and emotions makes you weak?
Been told that men should only show emotions when its a romantic gesture in a heterosexual relationship?
Yup, I’ve heard them all. Most pretty recently too. I’m pretty sure if I made such comments about someone of a different sex to myself, I’d get in a lot of trouble. But the stereotype around male mental health often goes unchallenged.
19 November is a day to break down stigmas around Men’s Health.
The world is full of stigmas and stereotypes around men’s health. On 19 November each year we recognise this with International Men’s Day. I know some of you will cringe at reading that, I get it, Men are seen as having an advantage over everyone else… oh wait, that is a stereotype. You cannot apply a single label to an entire sex.
I just want to say men face many mental health problems but often find it harder to share this or acknowledge they need assistance.
There is a masculine stigma around this where people say man up and it’s wrong to have and share feelings.
Pardon my language but this is bullsh*t. Guys it’s ok not to be ok. And it’s ok to talk about it. Feel its share it and don’t fear life.
Men, as well as anyone, it is ok not to be too. You have got this.
Men Who Talk
I recently found this organisation, and their aim is to support men to achieve good mental health through the medium of chat. They offer free online chat support in the week through their online groups. This resource is well worth checking out and sharing.
Men Who Talk – Non-Profit Organization, Nonprofit, Support Groups
Official Website: International Men’s Day
This site and resource also supports Movember and world children’s day.
Home – International Men’s Day
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM is a charity to support Men’s mental health and to reduce the suicide rate amongst men. They literally are the suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives.
This charity supports men with a confidential phone line open 5pm – Midnight every day. They also support bereaved individuals who have lost someone.
Homepage | Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Andy’s Man Club
Andy’s man club operate with the phrase; it is okay to talk. They operate in person support groups across the country, which meet on a Monday at 7pm. You can find their local clubs on their website.
Here is a little more info
“At ANDYSMANCLUB, we want to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. We aim to achieve this through weekly, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18.”
Better Days Wellbeing 