Men's Mental Health

Welcome to the Lifespan Psychology Newsletter for May?2023, with a focus on men's mental health.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the men and dads who work with our team.?In the last six months I have been doing some research into how to attract more men, both into the profession, and to get support for their mental well-being.??

I am really excited to say that I was invited to do a podcast for Take a Seat on men's mental health (there are more details and a link to listen further down the newsletter).?I also wrote a blog article below, which I hope you find helpful, alongside the infographic.

There is a section to comment and give feedback right at the end of this newsletter, and we welcome as much feedback as possible from men and their families.

Dr. Esther Cole

WHY MEN WITH SUICIDAL IDEATION MAY NOT SEEK THERAPY: SAYING THE OPPOSITE OF THESE 16 WORDS CAN BREAK BARRIERS

Key points:

• In the UK, 76% of all suicides are men.
• The majority of men will not see a counsellor or therapist to talk about their mental health, often due to shame, stigma, or depression.
• The feminine world and language used in “therapy” is alienating them.
• Reframing these 16 words by saying the opposite will engage men before it is too late.

Read the blog article here:

Elliott Rae of MusicFootballFatherhood kindly reposted my article on LinkedIn, commenting:

"This is a brilliant article from?Dr. Esther Cole,?which breaks down some of the reasons why men don't access therapy and wider mental health support.

The article looks at how we can make mental health support (both clinical and peer) inclusive and welcoming for men.

It's a brilliant article and I will be using it in my own work. Many of the principles can be applied to other forms and areas of engagement, whether that be maternity and post-natal, employee parenting or gender networks or community led peer initiatives."

Elliott Rae's website:

As well as being one of the UK’s most prominent speakers on fatherhood, masculinity and men’s mental health, Elliott is?also the founder of the parenting platform MusicFootballFatherhood, called the ‘Mumsnet for Dads’ by the BBC. MusicFootballFatherhood is all about open conversations around fatherhood and they?work with dads through content and community events to discuss topics such as loss, masculinity and mental health. He founded the platform after being diagnosed with PTSD as a new dad after the traumatic birth of his daughter.

Elliott wrote about his?PTSD, and bought other dads together to share their stories, in his?new book DAD which is an Amazon Top 10 bestseller. DAD is a deeply moving collection of 20 stories that represent the diversity of modern fatherhood and challenges the traditional ideas of masculinity.

Elliott?presented the seminal BBC One documentary ‘Becoming Dad’ in January 2022 and is?a regular media commentator on issues around fatherhood and mental health, having written for The Independent and The Telegraph and featured live on Loose Women, BBC News, Channel 4 and Radio 5 Live.

Here's a link to Elliott's BBC documentary:

BEYOND MEN & MASCULINITY - DOCUMENTARY

This searching, provocative examination of masculinity poses uncomfortable questions about the nature and definition of maleness in modern society. It's available to watch on Netflix:

TAKE A SEAT PODCAST

My episode on men's mental health on Take a Seat with Ali Swift is out now on Apple Podcasts:

Ali and I discussed:

• the way in which we deliver support for men
• how changing the language we use could entice more men to seek support
• the epidemic of male suicide: what can we do?
• male role models
• and much more...

WE WELCOME CLAUDIA ADAMSON TO THE LIFESPAN TEAM AS OUR CLIENT EXPERIENCE CO-ORDINATOR

CLAUDIA ADAMSON

I am the Client Experience Co-Ordinator at Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice?. I help improve our service to you by reviewing feedback and following through your journey from start to finish.?

I am in the process of studying for a Diploma in?Counselling and Psychotherapy and am aiming to complete a Masters. I have over ten years of experience in administration and customer relations roles. I provide virtual assistance, administrative and social media support to businesses who centre?their focus on the unique needs of the individual and create tailor-made solutions.

I'm passionate about ensuring the operational side of organising therapy is efficient, to allow the focus to be on your therapy, positive outcomes and recovery.?

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