Men are three times more likely to take their own life than women according to the latest statistics released by the Samaritans. Despite these figures there is still a large stigma surrounding men’s mental health and how a man should and should not be when it comes to their mental health and the way in which they present themselves.
Men walking and talking is a national organisation which is actively fighting the stigmas surrounding this profoundly serious issue. They have a multitude of groups with many situated within the West Midlands. Men showing vulnerability are universally seen as ‘weak’ and it is this issue specifically that they want to tackle in their efforts to fight. The above image demonstrates some messages that the organisation has received within the past month. As seen on social media Dan Reid the groups creator has emphasised the need for change when it comes to the public’s perception of men’s mental health. ‘These are some of the messages we have received in the last 30 days- the same old, destructive rhetoric designed to keep men quiet, isolated, and ashamed when they struggle. These messages are the checklist of isolation, and they are actively making the crisis worse.’
With weekly meet ups the local walking groups allow a safe space for any man actively wanting to make changes when it comes to their mental health and seek out support, they need from others. ‘We continue to look towards starting as many groups as possible across the UK and show that it is ok to have struggles and it is ok to speak about them.’
We don’t need permission from the critics to care about each other. We just need to show up.
Dan Reid, Group creator
We hear the term ‘toxic masculinity’ thrown around often. This harmful set of cultural norms are still to this day pressuring men to act a certain way. Forcing them to feel they need to suppress emotions and stay angry emotionless figures. Yet men walking and talking are adamant on change ‘we prove every single week, that peer connection is the most powerful and immediate intervention against loneliness and despair.’ The organisation presents the importance of opening up and speaking out when help is needed. That men do not need to shy away from how they are feeling. ‘Our leaders give other men a safe space to open up about the struggles they may be having in their day to day lives.’
Discouraging men to talk is incredibly damaging and the current gender stereotypes are doing more harm than good. As Dan expresses in his social media post ‘stop listening to the noise which keeps you isolated. Come walk with men who understand and want to make positive changes.’
We all have emotions, and expressing them isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.
Young Minds charity
One of the comments to the post saw the understanding of the want for destroying of the taboo topic. “There’s a massive strength to togetherness” as another agreed “no man is an island. Asking/seeking validation/assistance is more indicative of an open mind who recognises the need for change to their current wellbeing. It makes you human, not less male.”
Whilst another reply was a simple “Amen” showing the multitude of support that there is for the topic of men’s mental health to no longer be taboo. We need the stigma to be destroyed and phrases like ‘man up’ to be forgotten forever.