Hidden struggles: a closer look at men's mental health in Cumberland
Download (PDF 6.41 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Cumberland initially set their aims for this project to explore the topic of men’s mental health in detail considering how relationships, exercise and deprivation impact wellbeing respectively. It was brought to their attention that men’s mental health had became an area of concern in communities within Cumberland. This was further presented through research showing suicide rates in Cumbria being 50 per cent higher than national average as published by the Office of National Statistics in 2023. They spoke to over 200 people.
Key themes in the research:
People are slipping through the net because they do not fit the criteria for any organisation. The criteria for mental health support is limiting. The support available isn't suitable for everyone.
Physical activity plays an important part in a lot of people’s lives to help them manage their mental health and wellbeing on a daily basis.
Support groups play an important role in communities giving people a place to vent and receive peer support, which prevents them for needing crisis services.
People do not feel they are properly prepared by professionals for the side effects of medication and that medication is a go-to for doctors when all it does is suppress your emotions.
Participants have reported poor experiences with crisis services where they were supposed to be given a call back but didn’t. Long wait times for other services in addition to not receiving further contact can have detrimental impacts.