Opening Up

How to talk – and listen – to friends and family who might be struggling

We’ve all seen the headlines, we’ve watched the campaigns and the chances are, we all know at least one man who has been impacted by mental health challenges at some point in their life. Yet despite the growing awareness, suicide remains the single biggest killer among men aged under 45 in the UK. In fact, according to the mental health charity Ben, British men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.

Whether it’s through a desire to look strong, the pressure to ‘man up’ or simply not being able to nd the words to describe how they feel, many men are still choosing to remain silent and not seek help.

Men’s triggers often stem from societal expectations and traditional gender roles. Being de ned by these beliefs can negatively a ect men’s mental health and prevent them from reaching out to others or accessing support. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up on trying to start a conversation with the men you care about.