Reluctant men urged to seek help
Tackle mental health stigma and get the help you need.
That is the message from 2gether NHS Foundation Trust (2gether) during National Men’s Health Week (13-19 June).
Despite the fact that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem, men are less likely to seek help than women and common conditions such as stress and depression may go undiagnosed causing long term problems.
2gether says that it is vital men can access the information and help they need to help manage the tension and frustration we may experience in our day to day lives.
Dr Chris Fear, Consultant Psychiatrist at 2gether says “Men often think that seeking support when they are feeling low is a sign of weakness. However without the right information and help men often self medicate with alcohol and drugs which makes their physical and mental health worse.”
This year’s national campaign by the Men’s Health Forum highlights how technology should be used to provide additional sources of health information and advice.
Dr Chris continued: “We want to make it as easy as possible for men to get information on managing their mental health. If you have concerns about your health or fitness, speak with your GP.
“We have also developed an iPhone app called the Moodometer. It is free to download and offers a confidential and interactive tool that suggests advice and ongoing support when people need it most.”
Thousands of men could be suffering unnecessarily because they are reluctant to get the help they need. New ways of getting information from the NHS, like using the Moodometer app, may help men and women take the first step to get the support they need.
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