Men's Health

Men’s Health Month is designed to raise awareness of three key health issues: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

The aim of the month is to encourage men to start conversations about their health, and to seek support if they need it.

· Four in five suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest cause of death for men under 35. [1]

· In 2022, men aged 40 to 54 had the highest suicide rates in the UK. [2]

· In 2017, 12.5% of men in the UK were experiencing some form of common mental health condition. [3]

· Nearly three-quarters of adults who go missing are men. [4]

Nurse Next Door Facts.png

(Nursenextdoor.com)

Why is a focus on Men's Health and Wellbeing Important?

Men are at higher risk for many serious diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. Men also face unique health problems that don't affect women, like prostate cancer. To improve men's health, it's important to raise awareness about preventive screenings and regular health care for men of all ages. (Health.gov)

Men are more likely to experience chronic health conditions earlier than women because of different lifestyle, biological and social factors. These include smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, stress, hormones, metabolism, genes, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet and lack of regular check ups. (TeneHealth.com)

But, while it’s not always the case, men can also be reluctant to seek help for health issues, or even acknowledge when there may be a problem. What’s more, we know that many conditions have gone undiagnosed, or treatment has been left later than usual, due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To improve men's health, it's important to raise awareness about preventive action and regular healthcare for men of all ages, remembering that early intervention saves lives. The message to men today is that it’s crucial to take notice of what’s going on in your body and mind. (BupaGlobal.com)

What is Andys 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. They want to end the stigma surroudning men's mental and help men through the power of conversation #ITSOKAYTOTALK

Visit: andysmanclub.co.uk

Cumbria Currently has a number of Andys Man Club locations.
See below for Facebook account links for these locations:

ANDYSMANCLUB takes its name from Andrew Roberts, a man who sadly took his own life aged 23 in early 2016. Andy was a lovely and doting father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, and was just 23 years old when he was taken away by suicide, sadly and tragically without warning.

On average one man every two hours takes his life in the UK. It’s often said to be a factor is that men don’t talk. That’s why ANDYSMANCLUB was born. Established in 2016 by Luke Ambler, Andy’s brother-in-law, the aim of the club is to break down these stigmas, support men struggling, and lend a hand to suicide prevention.

That change starts with you...

Men often feel the pressure to fulfil the mammoth expectation of being the strong, super-macho sole provider for their family. Unsurprisingly, this work stress can lead to an increased risk of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke, as well as depression and anxiety. This in turn can lead to suicide.

NHS Employers

According to gender statistics released by NHS Digital in 2021, over 23 per cent of our NHS workforce are male or identify as male. Out of a total of 1.35 million NHS staff, there are approximately 320,000 men working in the service.

It is therefore imperative, as outlined by the Men’s Health Forum, that NHS organisations put a strong focus on men’s health and wellbeing. 

Statistics show that on average: 

men’s life expectancy is 3.7 years less than females 
men go to the doctor less than women 
men are three times more likely to die from suicide, than women.

The NHS people promise plan focuses on prioritising ‘looking after our people’, to ensure staff are safe and healthy at work and can deliver safe and high-quality patient care

(NHS Employers)

The five ways to wellbeing are five things we can all do that are scientifically proven to help us feel better.

Take part in the CAN DO Challenge by choosing a different way to wellbeing each day of the week.

Connect

Connect with other people (eg. call an old friend you haven't seen for a while)

Active

Move your body

Notice

Take notice of the environment around you (eg. turn off your phone for an hour)

Discover

Learn something new (eg. read a book you haven't read before)

Offer

Do something for someone else (eg. volunteer for a local community group)

Dopamine is an important chemical in your brain that affects your mood and influences your motivation and feeling of reward, however excessive screen use can create a ‘dopamine loop’ which causes a surge of dopamine to be released and triggers the brain’s reward centre. This can be damaging as it can become compulsive as your brain is constantly seeking the same level of reward.

Ways to keep your dopamine levels consistent include:

Eat a protein rich diet

Reduced saturated fat consumption

Get in to better sleeping habits

Get regular exercise

Listen to music

Meditate

Reduce screen time

Movember

"The Moustache is Calling - Movember is our time to unite. To take on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. And you coming along for the ride only makes us stronger."

November 1 - November 30

Movember, also known as Men's Health Awareness Month, is an annual global campaign that encourages men to grow mustaches and participate in various activities to raise awareness about men's health issues.

When sharing your support for Movember and men’s health awareness on social media, consider using these relevant hashtags to connect with others dedicated to men’s health:

#Movember

#MensHealth

#GrowAMo

#SuicidePrevention

#ProstateCancerAwareness

#MentalHealthMatters

#MoBros

November is Movember or Men's Health Awareness Month with International Men's Health Awareness Day falling on November 19th.

Men's Health Awareness Month is dedicated to bringing awareness to a wide range of men's health issues from mental health to suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

You can sign up and get involved in different ways at https://uk.movember.com

Globally, men die on average six years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. Which means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives.

Some men don’t like asking for help, but we are encouraging you to reach out if you need to. Speak to a friend, family member or colleague.

Some men don’t like asking for help, but we are encouraging you to reach out if you need to. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Speak to a friend, family member or a colleague and see your GP if you have any health related concerns.

Our message to men

Spend time with people who make you feel good

Talk more

Know the numbers

Know thy nuts

Move more

Take notice of what's going on in your body and mind. 

Go and see your GP or use NHS 111 if you're concerned about any symptoms.

Spot the Signs

How to spot the signs of poor mental health - Movember

Movember Conversations

Tackle Difficult Conversations | Movember Conversations

Know Thy Nuts

Know Thy Nuts | All you need to know about testicular cancer and checking your testicles - Movember

Family Man

Family Man - Movember

P is for Prostrate

In the UK, prostate cancer kills 10,000 men every year. The prostate is a gland. It is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as you get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate's main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm. Prostate Cancer UK is available for support and information.

You can now order our new man manual P For Prostate looking at all aspects of the prostate - from where it is and what it does through to various problems it can cause for men.

The manual launches during Men's Health Week.

Men's Health