Mental Health Top of the League this Men's Health Week 2022

The 13-19 June is Men’s Health Week and our message is: reach out, no judgement – only support.

This Men’s Health Week – 13 to 19 June 2022 – Lancashire Mind and Lancashire Football Association are shouting out about the importance of mental health and wellbeing for men.

Our message is simple. While it is okay not to be okay, you don’t have to do this alone: please talk – please reach out – please ask for help: no judgement, only listening and support.

Why does mental health matter? The stats…
According to the Mental Health Foundation:

• Around 1 in 8 men have a mental health condition in the UK
• Suicide is the largest cause of death for men under 50.
• However, only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.

Visit the MHF’s Men and Mental Health webpage for further statistics and advice on support.

Mental health and football

Being active and keeping connected are key to our wellbeing and coming together as a team to play football can boost our mental health in so many ways. There is a growing number of groups fostering this boost across Lancashire – click on the links to find out more!

• Blokes United/Creative Football – hold Mental Health football sessions in Blackpool, Darwen and Chorley
• Blackpool Football Therapy – based in Blackpool
• Team Kickabout– specifically for Dads, offering mental health football sessions all across Lancashire

“Lancashire FA is committed to supporting Men’s Mental Health Week 2022,” commented Lancashire Football Association CEO Simon Gerrard.

“We actively support agencies and organisations who use football as a tool to engage people in positive activity to support their Mental Health.  We have also trained our staff as Mental Health First Aiders and Workplace Champions, demonstrating our commitment to wellbeing.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with Lancashire Mind supporting Men’s Mental Health Week to raise awareness around such an important subject.”

Some tips for men by men!

Read tips, by men, for men, about what to do when things get tough. Gathered by the MHF via Instagram, they include:

• Reach out – chat to a mate when you start to hide yourself away
• Follow social media accounts that you can relate to
• Keep up with your routine – or add new structure to your day
• Get outside for a short walk
• Make a motivational playlist
• Switch off – in a way that works for you, with a book, film, video game etc.
• Ask a mate how they are – doing something for a mate can make you feel better
• Have a chat with someone who will listen and not ‘fix’ – a mate, colleague, family or a helpline

15 tips for men: how to pick yourself up when things get tough

Reach out – no judgement, only support

There are so many organisations who are here to help, including:

• The Movember Charity offers “Reliable, expert information to help men cope and live happier, healthier, longer lives”
• The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – who focus on the important role of football here.
• The national Mind charity provide a variety of information and support.
• Men’s Shed offer community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.
•  TALK Ourselves WELL – a facebook group which gives people the opportunity to talk about mental ill health, illness, health and wealth challenges and experiences.
• Happy Daze – Friendly Men’s Peer-Support Group which meets every Wednesday 12-2PM. Meet up grab a coffee and check in, talk about how your week’s been, health issues, medication etc & what our plans and goals are for the following week.
• AndyMansClub – Talking group for men every Monday at 7pm at Chorley Football Club or different locations available in Lancashire.
• Peer Support Group for people affected by Suicide – meets every two weeks on Thursdays, 12pm to 2pm at Lancaster Way Community Centre. Contact CAD@lscft.nhs.uk or call Whatsapp 07973 782833 for more details or to book a place.