May 04th, 2021

It's Mental Health Awareness Week...
A Conversation About Men's Mental Health

Hey, hey!

How are you feeling this week?
​
What have been your biggest wins? 

What hasn't gone so well? What lessons have you taken away from these experiences? Are you ready to let them go now?

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.

As a result of how useful many of you found my Maternal Mental Health Awareness post last week, I thought that I would open a discussion about men's mental health...

According to Priory, 77% of men surveyed have suffered with anxiety, stress or depression, whilst over 40% would say they would not seek help.
 
As many of us know, mental health issues in men have been consistently increasing in recent years. This means that more males are suffering with various disorders than every before. I think this is a major problem, which is why we are going to share advice, tips and resources across HappiMe's social media this week... I hope this post can help too!

If this topic is as close to your heart as it is mine, have you watched Sangu Delle’s amazing TED Talk yet? 

When stress got to be too much for TED Fellow Sangu Delle, he had to confront his own deep prejudice: that men shouldn't take care of their mental health. In a personal talk, Delle shares how he learned to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions. As he says: "Being honest about how we feel doesn't make us weak -- it makes us human."

If you or someone close to you is struggling with their mental health, here are my top tips for managing your mental health better…
 

1. Talk – Speak to loved-ones or charitable organisations about how you are feeling. Give yourself the chance to offload to people who are able to give you a safe space to share. A problem shared really can feel like a problem halved.
2. Rest – Whether that be through a 5-minute meditation, utilising childcare offers for extra sleep or even just putting on some music and closing your eyes for a moment… Try to take a chance to reset.
3. Ask for Help – There is no shame in needing help. Think about the ‘Man Up’ campaign…! If you need assistance with anything; whether it be advice, support or even just a little break, please ask loved-ones, your employer or charities for help.

Oh, and before you go, here are some useful resources...

Organisation: Men's Health Forum

Advice: MensLine Australia's Self-Care Kit

Book: ‘Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health’’ by Charlie Hoare

If you’d like a supportive ear, some advice and a chance to talk to someone, feel free to get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat today. 

I aim to post every Tuesday, but don't worry - if you're following us on our socials, you will get a reminder there. 

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If you aren't already, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn too, for more on children's mental health. 

Take care,

Abby and the HappiMe Team x