“Staying quiet about your struggles does not work. Our culture is definitely getting better at talking openly about mental health, but we still have a way to go. Many men still feel ashamed at confessing their own struggles and it’s this shame of the fear of judgement by others which we have to challenge.”
Paul Bannister – Founder of ManHealth
Males, continued to account for three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in 2021 (4,129 male deaths compared with 1,454 female deaths), as seen since the mid-1990s.
On average, twelve men a day lose their life to suicide. The highest at-risk group are men aged between 50-54. Suicide remains the most common killer of men aged under 50.
ManHealth run free peer support groups in and around County Durham and the North East of England. Peer support takes place when people with experience of depression support each other towards better wellbeing, as people of equal value and on a reciprocal basis, using their own lived experience as a tool for support.
ManHealth know we cannot fix people’s problems we cannot know what is right for our men. We endeavour to empower our men to do a great deal of self-healing. Our relationship with our men is centred on congruence, empathy and an unconditional positive regard. The model we use encourages them to move forward, set new goals, do things and develop relationships that give their lives meaning.
The 5 key components of our model.
Connect: With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours
Change: Try a new diet. Change your routine. Reduce your stress;
Community: Do something positive. Help someone or volunteer;
Commit: Do some exercise that suits your level of fitness. Fresh air and sunlight are important, and could help with sleep;
Challenge: Try something new or rediscover an old interest.