Men's support group in East Midlands backs first ever male health strategy
It's aim is to close the life expectancy gap between men & women
People across the East Midlands are being encouraged to come forward and take part in England's first ever men's health strategy.
The government are behind the new initiative which is looking at how to close the life expectancy gap between men and women.
Currently, research shows that suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50.
Liam Worrall runs the Nottingham Hub for the Bottled Up Blokes.
They host weekly men's support groups in South Normanton, and Hucknall also.
"I think it's paramount this happens now, seeing as over the last couple of years, the men's mental health has been growing, alongside the awareness of it, and I think it's so, so important that the government listen to what we are saying, to ensure men can go out and get the right help that they need.
"Nobody should be shamed about coming out with this sort of thing, if you want things to happen, you've got to kind of start within yourself and bring it out. It's a massive step, but at least we can all work together once it's out there.
"We need to be heard. We need to be understood."
It was Tim Cox who created the Bottled Up Blokes, having suffered with depression, to try and help men open up about their mental health, addictions and other life struggles in a safe, non judgemental space. They now also have a weekly football session at Tibshelf Community School, to help men with their physical health too.
Earlier this year, in March, they also opened a veterans support group offering a space for current and past serving veterans. You can find out more about them on the Bottled Up Blokes webiste.
Theis announcement from the government is today though is calling for men of all ages to feed into this health strategy.
They're running a 12-week call for evidence to gather insights from the public, health and social care professionals, academics and employers so the government can properly consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest issues facing men from all backgrounds.
It will ask for views on what is working and what more needs to be done to close the life expectancy gap, as men in England die nearly four years earlier than women on average.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Every day, men across England are dying early from preventable causes. Men are hit harder by a range of conditions, while tragically suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50.
“Our Plan for Change means we will tackle these issues head on through a men's health strategy, and today's call for evidence is the crucial next step in understanding what works, what doesn't, and how we can design services men will actually use. I urge people to come forward to share their views.”
The call for evidence will seek responses on how the government’s Plan for Change can work across the board to improve the health and wellbeing of men, through:
- Prevention – finding the right areas and the right ways to promote healthier behaviours
- Diagnosis and treatment - improving outcomes for health conditions that hit men harder
- Encouragement to come forward - improving men’s access to, engagement with and experience of the health service
The government says they're committed to fixing the NHS and getting a grip on the stark health inequalities that exist across the country through the Plan for Change, which will rebuild the health service and deliver better care for everyone; with a clearer, more tailored approach for both men and women, their distinct health needs will be met better.
In women’s health, there are tangible actions taking place according to the Government - with urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan, investing in a major AI breast cancer screening trial, and implementing key priority areas - alongside taking wider government action to tackle violence against women and girls.
The call for evidence will be open for views on the Department of Health and Social Care website until 17 July.
The government aims to launch the men's health strategy later this year.