It’s Men’s Health Week between the 15th and 21st of June 2020.
As a mental health charity, we’d like to highlight the relationship between men and mental health. For instance, in England, men have been found to be less likely to access support than women. They might also be less likely to disclose mental ill health, and are more likely to use potentially harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol. Suicide also represents the largest cause of death for men under 50. In fact, in Great Britain in 2017, 75% of all suicides were completed by men.
There are many reasons this can be the case, for instance due to traditional gender roles and stigma. However, we would like to emphasise that our support is for everyone – it is always confidential and tailored to the person.
If you’re struggling with mental ill health and are feeling hesitant to reach out, we encourage you to call us for an informal chat. You can also browse the self help section of our website to find other services that might be more appropriate for you. Alternatively, take a look at the ‘Campaign Against Living Miserably’ campaign, which offers a free webchat and helpline specifically for men. You can also find out more about men’s mental health on the Mental Health Foundation’s website.
If you’re interested in helping fight stigma and promote support for all, take a look at our five ways to combatting stigma on this page. For more information on Men’s Health Week and their topic of Covid-19, head on over to their website.
5 Steps to Reduce Stigma About Mental Illness
How to change our attitudes and behaviours right now
- Don’t label people who have a mental illness
Don’t say, “He’s bipolar” or “She’s schizophrenic.” People are people, not diagnoses. Instead, say, “He has a bipolar disorder” or “She has schizophrenia.” And say “has a mental illness” instead of “is mentally ill.” This is known as “person-first” language, and it’s far more respectful, for it recognizes that the illness doesn’t define the person.
- Don’t be afraid of people with mental illness
Yes, they may sometimes display unusual behaviours when their illness is more severe, but people with mental illness aren’t more likely to be violent than the general population. In fact, they are more likely to be victims of violence. Don’t fall prey to other inaccurate stereotypes from movies, such as that of the disturbed killer or the weird co-worker.
- Don’t use disrespectful terms for people with mental illness
In a research study with British 14-year-olds, teens came up with over 250 terms to describe mental illness, and the majority were negative. These terms are far too common in our everyday conversations. Also, be careful about casually using “diagnostic” terms to describe everyday behaviour, like “That’s my OCD,” or, “She’s so borderline.” Given that 1 in 4 adults experience a mental illness, you quite likely may be offending someone and not be aware of it.
- Don’t be insensitive or blame people with mental illness
It would be silly to tell someone to just “buckle down” and “get over” cancer. The same applies to mental illness. Also, don’t assume that someone is okay just because they look or act okay or sometimes smile or laugh. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can often be hidden, but the person can still be in considerable internal distress. Provide support and reassurance when you know someone is having difficulty managing their illness.
- Be a role model
Stigma is often fuelled by lack of awareness and inaccurate information. Model these stigma-reducing strategies through your own comments and behaviour and politely teach them to your friends, family, co-workers and others in your sphere of influence. Spread the word that treatment works and recovery is possible. Changing attitudes takes time, but repetition is the key, so keep getting the word out to bring about a positive shift in how we treat others.
*Copyright David Susman 2019.
David Susman, Ph.D. The Recovery Coach.
