Daniella Page (18)

Men’s mental health is a subject which is often overseen,

People can fail to see the hidden thunderstorms and assume that the grass is green.

Men are strong and in society they are the roots for everyone else around,

But when it comes to talking about their own emotions, they are unable to make a sound.

Many women may believe that living life as a man could never be an extremely difficult task,

But when you see a man passing you on the street, the smile you see is a mask.

When men talk about their troubles, the words “man up” is often what people will say,

They are told to carry on, put on a façade and wipe all their hurting away.

So instead men think that being strong means ignoring and hiding their pain,

When strength is having the courage to speak about troubles and accepting the thunder and rain.

Men want to be unbreakable, but they try to run before they can even start to crawl,

It is important for them to always remember that it is okay for them to fall.

Although it may seem that men live at the front of the picture, they often get stuck in the shadows,

They experience abuse and unbearable heartache while no one else around them knows.

Many people are recently pushing for the safety of women and to protect them from sexual abuse,

In the movement men are seen as a terrifying threat but there are men who don’t give an excuse.

This should not be a gender argument, instead as a collective standing up to abusers is what to do.

Because when it comes to sexual assault and having their body invaded, men always matter too.

So for all men around the world it is important to never hang your head with shame,

Your feelings are incredibly important, and you don’t have to be controlled by your pain.

Life is precious and irreplaceable, and no one wants any man to take it away.

Because men matter in this world and we don’t want any more suicides on any day.

Men’s mental health statistics and organisations to go to for help and support:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/men-and-mental-health

Statistics:

·      Three times as many men as women die by suicide

·      In England, around one in eight men have a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

·      Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women. Only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies.

·      87% of rough sleepers are men

·      Men make up the vast majority of the prison population. There are high rates of mental health problems and increasing rates of self-harm in prisons.

Organisations that can help:

·      CALM

·      Samaritans Phone number:116 123

·      Men’s Health Forum