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News – 18.11.24
International Men's Day - breaking the silence around men's mental health
International Men's Day - breaking the silence around men's mental health … Read more
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A change in US Presidency: How might it affect your finances?
In this article, we explore the potential economic and financial impacts of Donald Trump's return to power. … Read more
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One recurring theme in these conversations was the impact of societal expectations. Men often feel pressure to suppress their emotions in order to appear ‘strong’. One network member shared, “Part of the problem is that society’s view of men can sometimes manifest itself in having to appear to be ‘tough’ and ‘resilient’. This is perpetuated by the media and often the general feeling is that men should ‘just get on with it’.” Another agreed, adding, “Many men grapple with ingrained beliefs that dictate that they should suppress their emotions and avoid vulnerability. Historically, the lack of positive role models in this space has perpetuated these issues.”
When asked about role models who have had a positive impact on their mental health, many of the men pointed to their friends and family as sources of inspiration. “My friends drive me to be better and encourage me to do things that benefit me,” one member said. Others highlighted public figures such as rugby player Gareth Thomas and Steve Phillip from The Jordan Legacy, who have helped normalise conversations around men's mental health.
Despite the stigma, the men in our network agreed that being open and talking about their problems or concerns has had a positive impact on their wellbeing. However, they also acknowledged that it can take time to reach a place where they feel comfortable sharing. One member of the group explained, “More often than not, once you open up to someone else and talk about it, you realise the problem that has been building up in your head isn’t as bad as you initially thought.” Another reflected, “I usually feel a lot better once I’ve talked to someone about something. The hardest part is always the tension and build up to the conversation.”
One network member pointed out that talking is only beneficial if you have a supportive network around you. “It’s important to remember that not everyone has a partner or close family which could make talking that effective.”
Beyond talking, the group shared the activities or techniques they used to improve their mental health. Physical activity emerged as an important coping strategy. “Sport really helps me – when I play sport, any problems off the pitch disappear and seem irrelevant,” one member said. Another shared, “I’m quite active – running, swimming and racquet sports help me to maintain balance.”
Others emphasised the importance of establishing healthy routines such as improving sleep quality and staying hydrated, as well as reducing time spent on their phones, replacing screen time with spending time with friends and family.
In our conversations, it became clear that society teachings around masculinity have often led men to believe that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Yet, our network members noted that the real strength lies in having the courage to share how you’re feeling, rather than keeping quiet and ‘manning up’. Finding hobbies and activities that enable you to ‘switch off’, alongside confiding in friends or loved ones, can make a world of difference, even if those conversations don’t solve the problem entirely.
This International Men’s Day, lets challenge outdated views of masculinity and support each other in finding healthier ways to navigate mental health.
