Mental health support for men at garages

MEN are hiding their problems from their nearest and dearest, according to new research.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, new research from LV= General Insurance ( LV=) and its charity partner Family Action revealed as many as four in five men are covering up their problems. Nearly one in five men did not know where to turn to when they needed help and support with their problems, with 20 per cent feeling too embarrassed to ask and 17 per cent thinking no one cared.

In response, LV= is launching a new initiative providing men with a safe space to talk about their problems where they would least expect it - in their local repair garage.

The initiative will provide employees and customers at the insurer’s branded bodyshops direct, confidential access to someone to talk to via specially designed Family Action phones, installed in many of the insurer’s garages up and down the country - including in Portsmouth.

Phones will direct users to Family Action’s FamilyLine service, a helpline which offers free support and guidance for adult family members by text, phone, web chat and email. Callers can also be referred to additional services which include counselling, coaching and befriending. The scheme has been launched in garages - where around 90 per cent of the workforce is men.