Men's Mental Health

 

Talk about your worries with your friends and family as well as know that there are confidential services and professionals you can talk to. 

Movember signposts to a wide variety of organisations which can support you. 

If you are worried about your mental health, there are services which can support you. 

• LPFT's Lincolnshire Talking Therapies service can help you with a range of talking therapies, advice and guidance. 
• Men Matter counselling service is there to listen to you. Contact on 01522 444024 or complete an enquiry form here Contact | Lincoln Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre (lincolncounsellingcentre.co.uk)
• There is also support available in the community, to see a full list, visit the Activities directory. For men's only groups see below:
• Team Talk - This is a Lincoln City Foundation mental health programme for people aged over 16. They provide a safe space and physical activity sessions. 
• Development Plus - offer a men's group, as well as other projects, to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, opportunities to make new friends, socialise and learn new skills. 
• The Men's Shed -  community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. 
• Bro Pro UK - they offer a safe space for men to socialise and talk. They meet across 6 locations and offer peer to peer support through lived experience as well as access to counselling therapy and wellbeing services. Locations can be found on How Are You Lincolnshire | H.A.Y. Home (haylincolnshire.co.uk).
• Andy's Man Club - offering peer support groups online, with groups in Lincoln and Grimsby. 

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to help improve your mental health and wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Take a look at the 5 ways to wellbeing to find out what you can do to look after your personal wellbeing (5 ways to wellbeing poster). 

If you struggle with issues that affect your mental health, there are confidential services you can talk to and people who can help. Don't feel alone, reach out.  

• Debt - If you need help with debt, visit our managing money and debt page or Citizens Advice.
• Gambling - For help with gambling, see GamCare or visit the NHS website. 
• Bereavement - If you are going through bereavement and feel like you need support, visit our bereavement page to find suitable help. The NHS website offers information for bereavement and loss. 
• Alcohol and Drugs - For support with alcohol and drugs, visit wearewithyou. 

If you are worried about your health, for example your weight or unhealthy habits - Reach out to One You Lincolnshire. If you are worried about your physical health, pain or discomfort you may experience, don't bottle it in - call 111 for non-emergencies or see your GP. 

For support with your physical health see our health and wellbeing page or see the NHS website for information on how to look after your body. 

 

Spend time and reach out to people that make you feel good. With family, friends, colleagues and meet new people! Catch up regularly and make sure to check in and make time. 

Social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages. 

There are lots of fun and supportive opportunities in your local community. For information about groups in your area, see the activities directory. 

 

Reach out to your mates - being there for someone can be a life saver. As a friend set up a regular chat, visit or join an activity together. There are also many fun and FREE activities like woodworking, football, cooking courses, gaming and gardening – see list of Activities. 

Movember has advice on how to give support- how to have a tough conversation with someone. 

If you are worried about someone's mental health, see guidance on LPFT for how to help - worried about someone else. 

If you think you could benefit from training showing you how to support someone in a crisis, Zero Suicide Alliance offer free online training courses to teach you the skills to have a conversation with someone you are worried about. 

 

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Know the facts and take action early. In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, but that doesn’t mean it’s a disease that only affects old men. If you're 50, you should speak to your doctor about prostate testing. If you’re black or there is history of prostate cancer in your family, this should be done at 45. 

For more information about Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, visit nhs.uk

To find out more about prostate cancer visit either prostatecanceruk.org or the NHS website. 

 

Testicular Cancer 

Testicular cancer is one of the less common cancers, and tends to mainly affect men between the ages of 15 to 49. Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in 1 of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles. Find out more about symptoms on the NHS website. 

Do you know thy nuts? The best thing you can do for your nuts is to give them a feel every month or so – get to know what’s normal for you. That way, if anything changes or doesn’t feel right you can act and go to your GP to get them checked out. Find out what your testicles should look and feel like on the NHS website. 

Visit Movember for how to correctly check yourself. 

To find out more about testicular cancer examinations and testing, visit nhs.uk

For more information, visit the NHS website. 

 

Add more activity to your day, do more of what makes you feel good. Take the stairs instead of the lift, cycle to work, walk with friends, get off the bus a couple of stops earlier. 

Physical activity releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy. Being active can also manage your stress levels. 

See One You Lincolnshire to help you get more active and see how you can drop unhealthy habits. 

Use Let's Move Lincolnshire's activity finder to find out about clubs and activities in your area. 

To find activities in your area, use the activities directory. 

Visit Mind to see how incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle can benefit you.