International Men’s Day & Men’s Health Awareness Month 

International Men’s Day (IMD), celebrated annually on November 19th, and Men’s Health Awareness Month, held every November (‘Movember’), provide an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions, experiences, and challenges faced by men and boys worldwide. In the UK, these observances highlight critical issues such as the high rates of male suicide, shorter life expectancy of men to women, prevalence of prostate cancer and stigma that surrounds conversation of men’s mental and physical health, personal development, family and relationships. It is a time to champion positive role models and to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing, while also recognising the efforts of organisations dedicated to supporting men across various aspects of life.

Our Community Hub Coordinator, Ben, talks about how it can be difficult for men to open talk and how groups such as Bert-t-t’s and Bro Pro can help.

With it being men’s health awareness month and more specifically men’s mental health day I find myself thinking about discussions I have had and lessons I have learned around handling these. Along with the continuous support, signposting and activities on offer at the Shine community hub, Bert House, we have Shine’s Bert-t-t’s peer support group and Bro Pro. These groups offer a space where you are free to speak and open up in a safe, non-judgmental environment. But at the same time nobody is forced to talk, this has to come naturally when you are ready and trust the group/individual you are with.

It is great to offer the space to let individuals open up and talk about MH and this is what we encourage, but you also have to be mindful that as men we keep a lot to ourselves, often to protect those around us amongst other reasons, so it can be painful to open up especially around things we have held onto for a long time or buried deep inside.

It is always very important to have regular check-ins with the group, especially when someone has shared how they are feeling or something they have been through. Once we open up raw emotions it is important to then ensure that that person is not stuck in that moment when they leave.

In the groups I oversee it has been clear that the more men open up, talk and share experiences the less the stigma around men talking about their mental health, which is an incredible thing to be part of.

At Bro Pro it seems the hardest thing for most is stepping into the doors and asking for help, but once this has been achieved the positive results are easy to see. Within a couple of weeks I’ve seen men who are struggling to lift their head up go on to have the confidence to introduce new people to the group or read out quiz questions!

I always tell people asking about Bro Pro, that are unsure if it is for them, that it is not what they think it will be like. We don’t sit in a circle and force you to talk, and the majority of conversations can be around the weather, work, football, sport or any other interests. But if you are struggling in any way you are encouraged to speak about it, the same way you talk about anything else.

Bro-Pro is at Bert House, Horncastle every Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Find your nearest Bro-Pro each week by visiting their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/brotherhoodprojectuk

Bert-t-t’s is at Bert House, Horncastle every Tuesday, 9am-11am.

Contact [email protected] for any further details.

Below are some other avenues of support, countywide and nationally.

Domestic Abuse and Violence Support for Men

Men can also be victims of domestic abuse, and finding the right support is vital:

• ManKind Initiative  – offers confidential help to male victims of domestic abuse, including a helpline and resources.
• Mankind – for men in England and Wales affected by unwanted sexual experiences
• SurvivorsUK | We challenge the silence to support sexually abused men – support male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, providing counselling, practical help and community. Also for loved ones, professionals and survivors who think the service is the right fit for them.
• Modern Slavery & Crime Reduction Charity | Causeway Charity – support, empower and create change for survivors of modern slavery and those with experience of the criminal justice system.

Supporting Fatherhood and Family Relationships

The importance of active, engaged fatherhood cannot be overstated. These organisations help dads strengthen their family bonds:

• Families Need Fathers – offers information and support for dads seeking to maintain meaningful relationships with their children post-separation.
• Fatherhood Institute – promotes involved fatherhood and works towards policy change to support dads at home and work.
• Music Football Fatherhood – provides a space for dads to connect and share their parenting experiences through various activities – the dad version of ‘mumsnet’.
• Dad La Soul – creates a community for fathers and male caregivers, combating loneliness and providing a platform for sharing stories.
• HIMfertility – encourage men to talk about fertility problems and signpost them and their partners to much-needed support.

Men’s Health Awareness & Mental Health

Men’s Health Awareness Month encourages men to take charge of their health, addressing issues like prostate cancer, mental health, and physical fitness:

• Men’s Sheds – offers community spaces where men can work on projects, combat isolation, and share skills.
• Prostate Cancer UK – provides information, support, and funding for research into prostate cancer, a leading health issue among men.
• Andy’s Man Club – hosts peer support groups for men struggling with mental health challenges, fostering open discussions and reducing stigma.
• Orchid – focuses on fighting male-specific cancers through research and awareness campaigns.
• Blue Ribbon Foundation – provide talks to men across the country about their health, write widely on men’s health issues for a variety of online and print sources, and provide a signposting service for men and their families, pointing them in the right direction towards advice and support offered by other charities or the NHS.
• StrongMen – supports men dealing with bereavement, offering mental health and well-being programs.
• Cruse Bereavement Support – helps men cope with grief and loss, providing counselling and support services.
• Men’s Pie Club – combats social isolation by bringing men together to cook and share meals, building camaraderie.
• Men Walking and Talking – promotes physical exercise and conversation as a way to improve mental health and reduce loneliness.
• At A Loss (Bereavement) – the UK’s award-winning bereavement signposting and information service – everything a bereaved person needs in one place, for comprehensive, holistic and tailored support.
• Talk Club – they prefer to call it mental fitness because their talking groups actively help men to understand how they’re feeling by asking ‘How are you? Out of 10?’ then explaining why. It helps to build resilience, and the numbers prove it.
• BroPro – a safe place for men to meet, socialise & talk. Currently with locations all over Lincolnshire.

Challenging Stigma and Redefining Masculinity

Efforts to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote a healthier, more inclusive vision of masculinity are crucial:

• Tough Enough To Care – aims to break the stigma around men’s mental health, providing peer support and raising awareness.
• Men’s Minds Matter – works to prevent male suicide by promoting psychological well-being and mental health awareness.
• Man Up? – questions traditional ideas of masculinity, encouraging men to seek help and embrace vulnerability as a strength.

International Men’s Day and Men’s Health Awareness Month are more than just calendar events; they are calls to action to support men and boys in achieving their full potential, building healthy relationships, and accessing the care they need. Whether it’s through mentoring, mental health support, or fostering a sense of community, these UK organisations play a crucial role in enhancing the wellbeing of men and boys across the country.

Let’s use this month as a reminder to check in on the men in our lives and to connect them with the resources that can make a real difference.