Breaking the Silence: Why Men's Mental Health Needs Urgent Attention and How True North Collective Is Bridging the Gap
The Hidden Crisis of Male Mental Health
Let's be honest - talking about our feelings isn't something most blokes wake up excited to do. For many men, the mere suggestion of discussing mental health can feel about as comfortable as a hedgehog in a balloon factory. Yet beneath this reluctance lies a crisis that's claiming far too many lives.
Mental health has long been a topic shrouded in stigma, and for men, these conversations often feel like navigating a minefield blindfolded. As statistics reveal the disturbing reality of men's mental health struggles, particularly concerning suicide rates, it becomes clear that traditional mental health services haven't quite hit the mark for many of us.
In this blog, I'll dive into the troubling statistics around male suicide, explore why existing services often don't quite fit the bill, and introduce how our community interest company, True North Collective in Keighley, is offering a fresh approach to supporting men's mental wellbeing.
The Crisis: Shocking Statistics on Male Mental Health
The numbers paint a picture that's impossible to ignore, especially here in the UK:
Suicide Rates: Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. In 2020, men accounted for three-quarters of registered suicide deaths in the UK..
Prevalence: According to Mental Health UK, 12.5% of men in England have a mental health disorder.
Underreporting: We're not great at asking for help, are we? Just 36% of all NHS referrals for psychological therapies are for men.
Mental Health Impact: A whopping 77% of men reported experiencing symptoms of common mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, or depression.
Stigma: 52% of men would worry about taking time off work for mental health-related reasons, while 46% would feel embarrassed or ashamed to tell their employer.
Why Traditional Mental Health Services Miss the Mark for Many Men
While professional mental health services are brilliant for many people, they often don't quite hit the spot for men. The traditional approach to therapy sometimes overlooks some crucial factors specific to male mental health:
Stigma and Perceptions of Masculinity: Many of us feel pressure to appear strong and self-sufficient. "Man up" and "boys don't cry" aren't just phrases – they're cultural programming that can make asking for help feel like admitting defeat³.
The Lack of Male-Focused Services: Sitting in a room discussing our deepest emotions isn't everyone's cup of tea (we do, do this too though). Many men feel they need more practical, action-oriented solutions.
Long Waiting Lists and Inaccessibility: Getting an NHS appointment is like trying to buy Oasis reunion tickets – you'll spend hours in a virtual queue only to be told "Sorry, nothing available" at the end. With long waiting lists and limited access to affordable therapy, men who are already reluctant to seek help are often left high and dry.
Over-medication Rather Than Real Solutions: In some cases, traditional services rely heavily on medication. Meanwhile, men are more likely to use alcohol or drugs to cope with mental health issues, with 8.7% of men being alcohol dependent compared to 3.3% of women.
How True North Collective Bridges the Gap
Here at True North Collective, based on Woodville Road in Keighley, we believe men's mental health deserves a tailored, holistic, and supportive approach. By offering a range of services and opportunities, we aim to tackle the barriers that prevent many men from accessing the help they need.
Affordable and Accessible Therapy Services
We understand that affordability is a major concern when it comes to seeking help. That's why we offer a sliding scale fee for therapy, ranging from £15 to £40 per session. This pricing makes therapy more accessible, especially for those watching the pennies. Most importantly, by cutting local waiting lists, we're ensuring that men don't have to wait weeks or months to get the help they need.
Volunteering Opportunities for Empowerment
One of the most powerful ways to support mental wellbeing is by creating opportunities for men to feel useful and part of something bigger. We provide volunteering opportunities for men to help develop our site and services.
Whether you're a DIY god or more of a "I've just put six holes in the wall trying to hang a picture" kind of chap, there's something enormously satisfying about building something tangible.
A Non-Pressure Environment: Fire Pit Evenings
Not every conversation has to be about deep, heavy topics. That's why we're going to be promoting regular Friday fire pit evenings – informal gatherings where men can relax, share jokes, and engage in light-hearted conversations.
There's something primal about gathering around a fire that seems to loosen tongues and lighten the load. We've found that more meaningful conversations often happen naturally when no one feels pressured to "share their feelings." Plus, there's always that one bloke who insists he's a "fire expert" but somehow can't get the thing lit without using half a bottle of lighter fluid!
Humour, Fun, and Camaraderie
Laughter really can be the best medicine (along with, you know, actual medicine when you need it). We recognise that humour can be a powerful form of therapy, often breaking down barriers that formal settings might create.
At True North Collective, we don't take ourselves too seriously. Yes, we're dealing with serious issues, but who says the journey to better mental health can't include a few laughs along the way? After all, sometimes the most therapeutic thing is having a good chuckle with mates who get it.
Physical and Mental Activities
Mental health isn't just about talking. We will be offering survival walks in stunning Yorkshire countryside, digital inclusion and coding classes, debt counselling, outdoor cooking, forestry skills, and more. But you can also help by volunteering and developing our programmes of activity - we're keen to use the skills and talents of our local community. These activities reduce isolation and foster a sense of belonging. And yes, being terrible at something new together is a surprisingly effective bonding experience!
Why This Model Works: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
The traditional therapy model isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when it comes to men's mental health. Many men benefit more from a community-based, holistic approach that combines emotional support, physical activity, and social connections.
Reducing Isolation: Men often feel isolated in their struggles. By providing group activities like the fire pit evenings and volunteering opportunities, we help foster social connections, which is a key part of mental health recovery.
Building Emotional Resilience: The combination of physical activities and mental support helps men build emotional resilience. Physical activities release endorphins, improving mood, while socialising and engaging in positive environments can counteract feelings of loneliness and despair.
Challenging the Stigma: Our approach allows men to access support without the need to immediately discuss their deepest emotions. This reduces the barrier that many men face when seeking therapy and helps them feel more comfortable starting their mental health journey.
Creating a New Narrative for Men's Mental Health
The statistics surrounding male suicide and mental health are a clear indication that we need to rethink how we approach men's mental health services. Traditional methods have their place, but they often don't resonate with the needs of many men.
True North Collective seeks to bridge this gap by offering a multi-faceted approach that incorporates both mental and physical support, affordability, and community-building. We are here to provide the tools and support that men need to thrive, not just survive.
We believe that by combining practical support, humour, and a non-judgmental space, we can begin to change the narrative surrounding men's mental health and ensure that more men feel empowered to take control of their mental wellbeing.
Call to Action
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, don't wait. Join us at True North Collective in creating a new path forward for men's mental health. Whether through therapy, volunteering, or simply attending one of our fire pit evenings, we are here to help. You don't have to go through this alone.
Pop in to see us on Woodville Road in Keighley (Wednesdays’ or Fridays are best), or get in touch to find out more about our services and activities. Remember, taking that first step is often the hardest part – but we promise you'll find no judgment here, just a warm welcome and possibly a dodgy cup of tea or coffee.
Author: Richard Pierce, Director of Counselling & Therapy Services (TNC)
References:
Mind. (2019). Get it off your chest: men's mental health 10 years on. Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/media/6771/get-it-off-your-chest_a4_final.pdf
Cardiff and Vale Action for Mental Health. (2023). Men's Mental Health Month 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cavamh.org.uk/news/mens-mental-health-month-2023/
Counselling Directory. (2024). Key Statistics about Men and Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/men-and-mental-health-stats.html
Priory Group. (n.d.). Men's Mental Health: Why 40% of men won't talk about it. Retrieved from https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health
Mental Health Foundation. (2022). Men and women: statistics. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/men-women-statistics
MindWise Innovations. (2023). A Critical Look at Men's Mental Health. Retrieved from https://mindwise.org/blog/mental-health/a-critical-look-at-mens-mental-health/
