Male Mental Health

Male Mental Health

Male Mental Health

Over the last 14 months I have seen a steady rise in the number of male clients both attending and staying longer than 6 six sessions. I could postulate the reasons why and create a theory, but the truth is I am just glad that they had the courage to walk through the door that first time and retain that courage to keep attending. I think this about any client regardless of gender identification- it takes strength to sit down and talk about your problems.

The stigma about male mental health is slowly reducing but like anything that is cultural, it takes time to become a widely held and accepted notion when it is the reverse of what generations believed about the subject.

I raise male mental health today after reading a fantastic book not long ago published in aid of the charity Mind, called ‘This Book Could Help- The Men’s Head Space Manual,’ by Rotimi Akinsete. Rather than turn this into a book review I simply want to highlight how accessible and readable this book is for absolutely ANYONE! Short chapters and to the point, the techniques will assist everybody in gaining insight, calm and a clearer mind- all things that we crave in modern life. Yes, whilst obviously stilted towards male experience, reading it as a female was still beneficial and in fact posed some insight into how men may experience the therapy I offer, as well as informing further on male experiences in general. This book serves any reader with numerous gains.

With the rise in debate over toxic masculinity of late in the press and local suicide rates reportedly on the increase, any resources such as this could not only increase awareness on mental illness, mental health, provide coping strategies and go as far to prevent loss of life. In a few chapters and with some patience you have a healthier mindset available to you; it takes practice and a willingness to adapt to new routines and lose bad habits- expect good and bad days as you attempt the techniques and face whatever battles are in your day to day life.

Make your mental health a priority.