New Bupa research outlines mental health struggles for men

Masculinity is a strange concept. One mans masculine is another mans feminine, we all know what it means but we disagree what it constitutes and in reality, it’s a socially constructed idea based on nothing but stories. And yet, it means a lot to people, and it has great societal impact, particularly with regard to men’s mental health.

Without intending to sound like every philosophy lecture ever heard by a UK fresher, it really is strange that a social construct deigned to only apply to half the population seems to affect mental and physical health on such a scale, when there is no way to prove or disprove the idea. Regardless, the idea of masculinity can do more damage than good.

I bring this up following the release of the latest Bupa wellbeing index, where they outline results from their survey of 8000 participants, showing trends in the nations health and wellbeing.

 The data collected paints a dire picture for the state of men’s mental health. While there is no shortage of notable data, I have highlighted some of the research that adequately informs of what the Health Secreatary describes as a “crisis of masculinity”.

According to Bupa, half of UK men have suffered with poor mental health and 30% say they don’t know where to go for advice on their mental health issues. Furthermore, of those surveyed, over one third admit to hiding their issue from their partner, including 43% of those aged between 25-34. Continuing the trend, only 24% of males who’ve struggled with mental health say they would talk to their friends about their struggles, and less than half of men would seek medical advice for their mental health struggles, owing to the stigma surrounding it.

It doesn’t stop there. Bupa state that young people in the UK are experiencing a mental health crisis, with 39% of 8-18 year olds surveyed saying they feel worried at least every week. According to Bupa, mental health is their highest claims area for children and young people aged 4-17.

Finally, the index also outlines the poor state of mental health support in the workplace or UK males. Bupa research finds that 43% of the male workforce would like more mental health support from their employer, with the main contributory factors being unhappiness at work, lack of confidence and traumatic events in the past.

So, the research shows the following; half of all blokes have suffered with mental health problems; a lot of people don’t know where they can get help; a sizeable group of men bottle these issues up from their partner and one in four wouldn’t talk to their friends. It’s bad if you’re young, it’s bad if you’re in the workplace and because of the stigma of masculinity, less than half of men would seek help. In summation, it’s an atrocious situation.

Carlos Jaureguizar, Chief Executive for Bupa Global, India & UK, said: “Men’s health in the UK is at a critical juncture. For too long, conversations about men’s wellbeing have been held back by silence, societal expectations and harmful stereotypes that discourage men from prioritising and speaking about their health or seeking the support they need.”

In response to the data, Health Secreatary Wes Streeting told The Telegraph that the government was working on the implementation of a Men’s Health Strategy – an initiative called for by former Tory MP Steve Brine last year.

Mr Streeting said: “Too many men are suffering in silence. The fact that so many are reluctant to talk about health with their dads and brothers shows how big a part stigma plays. It’s tragic that in modern Britain, suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50 – and when, as this study suggests, a third of men feel embarrassed to go to their doctor with mental health concerns, we know more needs to be done.”

Reaffirming the government commitment to a national strategy, Mr Streeting also encouraged males to “get involved and have their say”.

As mentioned, the data speaks for itself. The stigma of masculinity is causing people to suffer in silence, it’s affecting men at work and a lot of people don’t know where to turn. The only silver lining is the acknowledgement of the Health Secreatary that we have reached the point of crisis. Bupa’s research was always going to get a response from the government, but a senior cabinet minister admitting it has reached the point of emergency is sure to bring about action. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of Wes Streeting or the Prime Minister if decisive measures aren’t taken.

We welcome the introduction of a national Men’s Health Strategy and we eagerly await to see what it constitutes.