David Conrad writes
The dominant construct of masculinity tells us that ‘big boys don't
cry', talking about your feelings is something that only women do and
asking for help is a sign of weakness. Not every man subscribes to this
dominant ‘bloke' identity, of course, but however much we talk about
multiple masculinities the reality is that there are plenty who do. So
how do we promote mental health to these men and deliver services in a
way that won't send them running in the opposite direction?
Making health ‘bloke friendly' can be done but it requires innovative thinking. The Bradford Health of Men team (
www.healthofmen.com) developed new ways to take health services out of traditional settings and into the community and workplace*. By marketing and delivering services in places where men already feel comfortable and adopting a non-judgemental style based on straight talking and use of humour, their work shows that you can engage men without threatening their sense of masculine identity.
When it comes to mental health and well-being this type of approach is especially important. One initiative which demonstrates brilliantly how these same principles can be successfully applied to mental health work is Pete Sayers' It's A Goal (www.itsagoal.org.uk). The project is delivered at football grounds (currently at four league clubs) and tackles the issues of depression and suicide amongst young men between the ages of 16-35. The service users, or ‘players', can be referred by GPs, education authorities, social workers and health professionals as well as family, friends, colleagues or themselves. The programme, or ‘season', is based around football metaphors and comprises eleven sessions, or ‘matches', covering a range of aspects of mental well-being.
Follow up groups, or ‘supporters clubs', provide extra support once the season is over and also take place within the football club.Men suffering from depression are less likely to ask for help and more likely to commit suicide than women suffering from depression. Although football won't engage all men, the innovative and targeted approach of It's A Goal is exactly what we need more of if we're to tackle this very serious issue.
* ‘Men's Health: How To Do It', a practical guide to men's health work based on the Bradford Health of Men project is available from Amazon or directly from the publisher's website.
David Conrad is a Specialty Registrar in Public Health and Associate Member of the Centre for Men's Health at Leeds Met University.