Are men now more comfortable talking about mental health than women?
Are men now more comfortable talking about mental health than women?
Traditionally men have been known to be reluctant to confront health problems in general, less likely to go to their GP to discuss worries. The reticence of men around mental health has always been seen as the main reason why men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
But a survey by Health Shield Friendly Society among 2,002 employees and 500 HR and benefits decision-makers at large UK employers has found that 59% of men were comfortable with talking about their mental health compared with 54% of women. There was also a perception gap: 74% of HR professionals believed their employees were comfortable with the subject, compared with 56% of employees themselves.
Why now?
In response to the new figures, HR commentators have suggested it’s a sign that the years of campaigns targeted towards men, such as the Movember initiative, have started to have an effect; others that there’s been a wider cultural change around what masculinity involves, including more willingness to talk about emotions.
At the same time there’s concern over why relatively fewer women are speaking up, and the suggestion it may be the result of a lack of support around menopause issues.
Reality check
“The more conversations about mental health, and the earlier they happen, the better in terms of outcomes,” said EAPA UK chair, Karl Bennett. “More men talking about mental illness is crucial to lowering the numbers of men taking their own lives.
“The question with these new figures is how much they are evidence of men facing up to their problems and vulnerability. Now that discussions around mental health are so much the norm, it could also be that talking about mental health is another way men show their strength, their lack of concern.
“People will always feel ‘comfortable’ when they don’t really believe a problem is relevant to them. What matters is that employees are willing and able to have honest conversations that get to the root of any underlying problems, and that means speaking in confidence to an independent source of professional advice.”