| Wednesday, 28 June 2006 | |
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MP's concern at increasing mental health problems for men Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, has called for more action to address the growing number of mental health problems amongst men. Speaking in an adjournment debate today in Parliament on men and their mental well-being, Dr Stoate, who is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Men’s Health, said;“The evidence of men’s and boys’ poor mental well-being is all around us. For example, 75% of people who kill themselves are men, mostly young men. One man in eight is dependent on alcohol, 72% of male prisoners suffer from two or more mental disorders and boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than girls.” “Surprising numbers of men are unhappy, anxious, stressed or depressed. The results of a recent YouGov survey for the Men’s Health Forum show that more than 18 million men in the UK could be affected by common mental health problems.” “The survey found that men in the UK experience very high stress levels, with nearly half (46%) suffering from moderate or extreme stress in a normal week. Just over half (51%) say they feel down, stressed, depressed or anxious at least once a month and one in 10 men feels this way a few times a week or every day. 76% of men have experienced depression or anxiety in their lives. And the study shows that while mental health is a major problem, nearly a fifth are suffering in silence and don’t turn to anyone for help.” The MP has called on the Government to carry out an in depth investigation into all aspects of ‘male psychological distress’ and to take steps to ensure that the NHS and other public services become more ‘male friendly’ and are better equipped to respond to the specific mental health needs of men. “The first step must be a detailed investigation of levels of male psychological distress in all its manifestations. The government should fund and start this work now. Specialists at the National Institute for Mental Health in England should examine the key risk factors, establish good practice and make recommendations for new and more flexible male-friendly services,” said the MP. “We must not end up with a society in which chronic poor mental health, and its effect on other areas of health and society, is endemic in men and repeated from generation to generation.” |
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