White Rose Training Insights

Men’s Health Awareness Month, particularly as observed during "Movember" is a crucial initiative to shed light on pressing issues affecting men's health, particularly mental health and suicide prevention. Here's why it is so significant:

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Men account for four in five suicides, making suicide the leading cause of death for men under 35.

In 2022, the highest suicide rates in the UK were seen in men aged 40 to 54. Despite these alarming statistics, many men are less likely to seek help due to societal pressures to "tough it out," perpetuating a cycle of silence and untreated mental health issues.

Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions

In 2017, 12.5% of men in the UK were experiencing common mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. This figure highlights the everyday struggles men face, yet many remain undiagnosed or untreated due to stigma.

Social Disparities

Men are disproportionately affected in areas such as substance dependency, being nearly three times as likely as women to develop alcohol dependency or report frequent drug use. Additionally, three-quarters of missing adults are men, pointing to potential underlying social and mental health challenges.

How to Make a Difference

Encouraging conversations, fostering awareness, and creating supportive environments are key steps in tackling these issues. At White Rose Training, by working with organisations of all sizes to embed proactive prevention strategies, we aim to create workplace cultures that promote positive mental health.

Call to Action

This Movember, start conversations within your workplace or community:

• Check-in with male colleagues, friends, or family members.
• Attend a mental health first aid and awareness course
• Advocate for mental health support systems and reduce the stigma around seeking help.

Together, we can empower men to take charge of their health and create a culture where seeking support is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.