It’s been shown that men are less inclined to seek support for mental health concerns than women, and the statistics for men’s health don’t make uplifting reading either: 39% of male employees don’t address health issues before they become severe, and men of working age visit their GP 50% less than women. Mortality rates are higher for men too, with one in five men in the UK dying before they reach 65.
Amongst the factors that have led to this situation are the enduring stigma surrounding mental health issues and the persistence of the ‘strong male’ stereotype, which holds that displaying emotions or seeking help are signs of weakness. This means men are discouraged from addressing their mental health needs.
Overcoming male stereotypes
The International Stress Management Association (ISMAUK) will shine a light on these issues in a panel discussion, Why Do Men Find It Hard to Talk About Their Mental Health? Overcoming Male Stereotypes and Focusing on Early Intervention during their Online Global Stress Summit on Wednesday 1st November.
Amongst the panellists will be Dan Somers, CEO and Founder of MANUP?, a charity which raises awareness about mental health among men and chips away at stigma. MANUP? are also the sponsors of this year’s International Stress Awareness Week, 30th October – 3rd November.
Breaking down taboos around money, finance and wellbeing
Another panel discussion at ISMAUK’s Online Summit will talk about “Breaking down the social taboos around money, finance, and wellbeing”.
In a world where cost-of-living pressures abound, many endure their financial burden silently, fearing judgement from others. Stigma isolates those in need and hampers open conversations about finances.
Financial stress also has an impact on mental wellbeing, which can affect how we earn and manage our money. Five panellists will ask questions such as: Why are conversations about money so difficult? How can we break down the social taboos, empowering people to talk about financial wellbeing and create healthier relationships with money? What can be done to help people find assistance and resources?
The panellists include Ian Dempsey, a financial educator and IFA; Charlie Goodman, a board member at the Institute for Financial Wellbeing; Ryan Briggs, founder of FinWELL Training; and Professor Sir Cary Cooper, CBE, Chair of the National Forum for Health & Wellbeing at Work.
Ian Dempsey said: “Mental health and finances are closely linked, and as someone who has seen at first hand the impact finances can have on mental wellbeing, I welcome ISMAUK’s initiative in staging a discussion about the stigma that isolates people and hampers them from discussing finance openly. Initiatives like this can only help to foster greater empathy and understanding of these issues.”
You can find out more about ISMAUK’s Online Summit and register with a 50% discount here.
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