Talking to others can help make sense of our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. There are lots of places you can go to for support, wether you're feeling low, anxious or having thoughts of suicide, talking can help.
What is men’s mental health?
Mental health is a term which includes emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act in any given situation. It can determine our actions and responses to stress, other people and how we make choices. Everyone regardless or age or gender have to manage their mental health. Men’s mental health is about reaching out and removing the barriers which prevent men (those who identify as male) to obtaining the support they need to help manage their mental health.
· UCAS found that the number of people who share information about their mental health has increased by 450% over the last decade, and women are 2.2 times more likely to share their mental health status than men.
· The Mental Health Foundation found that men are three times more likely to become dependent on alcohol to deal with emotional and psychological stresses.
· Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women with only 36% of referrals to NHS Talking therapies are men.
· Since the mid 1990’s three-quarters of suicide in the UK were men.
These reasons are why we have set up a dedicated area to support men/ male identifying students at Northumbria Students’ Union.
Breaking the stigma
Although mental health problems are extremely common, stigma is still attached to them, making them difficult to talk about. Societal gendered roles can dictate that when men express emotion, they are not "real men". This stigma can cause men to suppress their emotions in order to present as "manly" and "strong". Saying “Man Up!” is putting a man down and making everything worse.
Andy’s Man Club
ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK
ANDYSMANCLUB has over 100 free support groups nationwide, running every Monday from 7PM except bank holidays. In these groups, men can open-up about the storms affecting their lives in a safe, judgement-free and non-clinical environment. Our clubs are designed to be free of pressure, there is no obligation for men to speak, they can simply listen if they wish.
THE FIRST RULE ABOUT ANDYSMAN CLUB IS
IT’S OKAY TO TALK
AT ANDYSMANCLUB.
Your nearest Group meeting is in Reds in your Students’ Union every Monday at 7pm. Tea and biscuits provided.
University Support
Northumbria University have a team of professionals who can offer therapeutic support to students for any and all mental health concerns. To access the mental health and counselling teams click here: Need help NOW. Or you can access the University’s free and confidential Mental Health and Wellbeing Service through your Student Portal – search ‘mental health’ in Ask4Help online and complete the short registration form.
Out of Hours Emergency Support
Samaritans
To talk about anything that is upsetting you, or if you're feeling low of hvaing thoughts of suicide, you can contact Samarticans 24/7, all year round.
Call 116 123
HopeLine
HOPELINE247 advisers want to work with you to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe.
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For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide
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For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
Call 0800 068 4141
SANEline
If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4pm–10pm every day)
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day)
Shout
If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Call 0800 652 2863
NHS 111 - option 2 for crisis mental health support
There is now a new way for the public to access crisis mental health support by calling NHS 111 and selecting option 2 for mental health support.
This service is for people of all ages including children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and continues to be provided by our two mental trusts - Cumbria, Northumberland,
Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).