Feel better…today

This week is Men’s Health Week, an annual campaign run by the Men’s Health Forum to raise awareness of preventable health issues and encourage male colleagues to have the courage to seek professional advice for health-related problems.

Men’s Health Week is a time to bring awareness to health issues that affect men disproportionately and get more men to become more aware of problems they may already be experiencing or could develop going forward.

‘Take action on covid-19’ is the theme for this year, with the aim being to look at what we can all do to prevent the virus doing more damage. Existing mental health issues have been exacerbated for many as a result of the ongoing pandemic, and for many others, new mental health problems have arisen. Keeping in touch with friends, relatives and social groups is paramount during these unprecedented times and can work wonders in providing support and reducing feelings of isolation.

While mental health issues are experienced by both men and women, some difficulties and influences on mental health may be especially relevant for men. Men account for three-quarters of all UK deaths by suicide and are less likely to seek support or disclose mental health problems to loved ones.

To help encourage more men to talk openly about how they’re feeling, we have created a short video titled 'Real Men’, which you can view here. Please share this link with your colleagues.

If you don’t feel your ‘usual’ self or you are suffering with mental ill-health of any sort, whether these feeling have just begun or there has been an issue for some time – please make the difference and access the support you need today. The sooner you access support, the quicker you can start to feel better.

Support is available

We understand that there is an increase in concern and anxiety. If you or a member of your team would like to speak to a counsellor, they can contact First Class Support available 24/7 to provide emotional (not medical) support on 0800 6888 777.

A selection of chapters from ‘Positive Mental Health,’ a book written by Dr Shaun Davis and Andrew Kinder, are available here to help you manage a range of mental health problems.

Click here to see the full range of mental health support available to you.