Mental Health: First UK Male Clinic to Open
This week in the UK, the first mental health care centre for men opened in Burton on Trent, named the Eaton Foundation. The centre was opened by Alex Eaton, who suffered with depression following his fathers suicide.
Alex feels that male mental health is a massive problem and hopes that by opening the clinic, they can work towards preventing male suicides.
On opening the clinic, Alex commented:
"We are the only one in the country and we are really proud of that," he said. I think it [male mental health] is a huge problem. It's like society puts on you as a man that you have to be strong. You have to fight through your problems. You can't be seen to be weak.
Suicide is the biggest killer amongst young men. Here at Crisp and Co we sincerely hope that the Eaton Foundation will soon be one of many mental health centres in the UK for men.
Mental health is a complex and difficult illness to understand, not only for the person suffering, but also their loved ones.
An interesting outlook from the Mental Health Foundation
“Mental health is everyone’s business. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us.”
As the above statement above says, the reality is, mental health can affect anyone one of us at any given time, particularly if you are faced with unfamiliar and often distressing experience.
In a study published by the Journal of Men’s Health, post-divorce depression in men was explored and it was found that men who had suffered through the breakdown of a marriage had higher rates of substance abuse and were more likely to take their own lives. It also called for doctors to refer more male divorcees to therapists to help them to battle depression.
Divorce may be a difficult experience, and can leave both men and women emotionally drained and feeling empty. However, there are certain steps you can take to tackle the hardships of separation.
Below are a small handful of tips to help with relationship breakdown, and aid you on your journey to rebuilding your future:
Take Time Out: if possible, during the first few months following your separation, avoid making any major changes to your life, such as a new job, or moving to a new city. Making these decisions at a time when you are feeling less emotional will ensure you make better judgements.
Stick to a Routine: getting back to a regular routine following a relationship breakdown will help you slowly adjust to the changes in your life. This will also provide some normality and comfort.
Avoid Using Alcohol or Substances to Cope: It’s important to be in good health in order to overcome the emotional situation you are faced with. Although the temptation to relieve your feeling may be strong, this is a short-term fix and can often heighten emotion in the long run. Try and find healthier alternatives, such as adding regular exercise to your new routine, with regular healthy meals as part of your diet.
Explore New Interests: Although initially it may be difficult to feel like this, relationship breakdowns can sometimes be the beginning of a new and positive chapter in your life. Wherever possible, take the opportunity to explore and try new interests and activities. Not only will this take your focus off your current situation, but you will also meet new people, and who knows, maybe discover a passion for a brand new hobby.
Whilst we hope the above tips have proved useful, if you wish to seek further advice, Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.