Social media campaign urging men to talk about mental health with #itsokaytotalk

Millions of people jump on the bandwagon in the hopes of bringing about some change.

But, whatever you say about about social media, – it is a powerful tool.

The newest campaign that has gone viral across the internet was one from Luke Ambler, a rugby player, who recently lost his brother-in-law to suicide.

Suicide is the biggest killer of for young men, aged 18-49, with the statistics highest for men in their 40s.

It often arises from depression, a serious mental health condition, and the fear is that men do not talk enough about their problems, which only exacerbates matters then makes it worse for their mental state.

Now, men and women across the country alike are posting selfies under the hashtag #itsokaytotalk.

The aim is to encourage their friends to do the same in order to encourage men to talk about their problems, instead of bottling up their feelings for fear of looking ‘weak’.

The photos involve the taker posing with their hand in the ‘okay’ sign.

The aim of the posts is to encourage men to start talking, as well as raising funds for Mr Ambler to start up Andy’s Man Club, which will organises gatherings in safe places for men to meet up and talk, that he hopes to bring in across the country.

Mind in Taunton and West Somerset offers a mental health helpline called Mindline that hopes to get people talking.

Andy Pritchard, CEO for Mind in Taunton and West Somerset, said: “Social media is fantastic in terms of raising awareness.

“We know that talking and offloading our problems can be a powerful tool, that is why we run our out-of-hours helpline.

“Some people don’t feel comfortable talking to the people closest to them.

“We find we have to challenge a lot of stigma, as this can prevent people from talking openly.

“We know that men are more likely to end their own lives, which is something reflected in our work as we get about one man to every three women calling.”

A host of celebrities have backed the campaign, including Ricky Gervais, former rugby star Matt Dawson and Somerset’s very own Marcus Trescothick, who has himself endured a his own well-documented battle with depression.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2014, the highest number of suicides was in men aged between 45 and 49-years old. A staggering 1,168 men in their 40s took their own lives in 2014.

This number is more than three times that of women in the same age range, at 329 deaths from suicide.

In Somerset, there are is a range of services available to help people struggling with their mental health.

From just needing to talk to someone about everyday struggles, to needing advice on an abusive relationship, or even preventing suicide, help is on hand.

Mind also works with other campaigns such as Time to Change and Bridging the Gap to assist work to signpost people in towards getting the help they need.

As well as offering the helpline and other mental health support, Mind also hosts ecotherapy sessions. Mr Pritchard says these nature-based sessions are the reverse in terms in usage, as men are more likely to opt for this type of help.

Mr Pritchard added: “There is a lot of benefits to being outdoors, and the ecotherapy sessions are more popular among men. Maybe as men are less likely to want to chat over a cup or tea or coffee, it helps to get out there and get active and then there is a more open space to talk while you are doing other things at the same time.”

But Mind appreciates talking isn’t for everyone, so suggests that writing things down can also have benefits.

Online blogs can be used to vent feelings, or even a simple journal. For those wanting to discuss their feelings, Mr Pritchard says that writing a list of everything you want to say before a session or a chat will help you get things off your chest.

He said: “Writing things down can be less threatening.

“Social media plays a key part, as there can be lots of support out there.

“Having strangers caring about your problems is quite a statement of a positive society.”

The council also plays a key part in mental health services across Somerset. The Public Health Department works to promote better health overall, not just mental health.

According to the council, one in six adults will have a mental health problem at any one time, which equates to 70,000 people in Somerset, and that 50 per cent of mental health problems start from the age of 14.

It’s work isn’t just to tackle the problems, but to try and prevent them, as a lot of the services are used to signpost people to where they can find the help they need.

The Little book of Mental Health is filled with tips and tricks that can be used to maintain mental health.

The book includes a mood diary, stress relieving techniques, as well as a list of helpful contacts someone might want to use in their time of need.

Somerset County Council also produced a smartphone app, using the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ advice from the NHS. The app can be used on a daily basis to keep track of your emotional needs.

The newest campaign from the council is one that aims to tackle loneliness. The council believes that being lonely is just as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The council also supports the Time to Change campaign.

Christina Gray, public health consultant, Somerset County Council said:  “We know that men can be reluctant to talk about problems and this can lead to things escalating.  This is not only about engaging with the health system and but also, and indeed more so about being able to be open with and gaining support from friends, relatives and the community. 

 “Men of all ages need encouragement to talk and to get support for emotional health issues earlier.  This can be from family and friends, as much as from health or counselling services.’

Cllr. Anna Groskop, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing for Somerset County Council, said: "I am proud that Somerset is a national frontrunner in addressing men's mental health issues.

“Somerset County Council host a Men’s Health Interest Group with our partners the national, Men’s Health Forum together with representatives from police, health services, probation services and the voluntary sector. Working together we are producing a Men’s Health Action Plan to improve men’s health in the County, particularly their mental wellbeing.  

“To kick start this work, last October they ran a conference on Men’s Mental Health which emphasised that men of all ages need dedicated interventions to help them seek support for mental health issues earlier. Men are three times more likely to complete suicide than women.   

“The conference brought together stakeholders across a range of disciplines to look at the evidence collected by the Men’s Health Forum and start to develop new ways of thinking to promote men’s health.

“Over 70 per cent of the people at the conference were men. Further training and raising awareness of the need to look again at how we offer services to men to promote their wellbeing are featured in the plan.”

Men’s Health Forum produce a full range of men’s health manuals including the ‘The Man Manual’ and ‘Beat Stress Feel Better’ available at www.menshealthforum.org.uk

If you are struggling and need someone to talk to called Taunton's Mindline on 01823 276 892 or the Samartians on 116 123.