It’s ok not to be ok!

As part of our commitment to mental health and wellbeing, we wanted to reach out to all men to discuss the sensitive issue of Mental Health. It has been highly documented in the media, but this effects people closer to home, soldiers, office workers, promotional staff, family and friends. With some members of our own team suffering from mental health or have close relatives/friends that do, it is so important to us that you realize it is okay not to be ok.

Covid-19 has had a huge impact on peoples Mental Health, we are so glad it is finally coming to an end. The whole world needs to carry on supporting one another with speaking about mental health on social media or to friends and family, sharing a problem is a problem halved. Provisional data show there were 10.7 suicide deaths per 100,000 people in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020 in England, equivalent to 1,334 deaths registered; this rate is similar to rates seen in the third quarter of previous years.

We wanted to take this opportunity to signpost some links and websites for you, should you find yourself needing to talk or worried about someone close to you. If you feel unable to contact these charities and want to speak to someone your GP will be able to discuss your situation.

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

https://www.samaritans.org/

Suicide Statistics

The statistics shown below are quite eye-opening…..

• In 2017, 5,821 suicides were recorded in Great Britain. Of these, 75% were male and 25% were female
• Between 2003 and 2013, 18,220 people with mental health problems took their own life in the UK
• Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales
• One person in fifteen had made a suicide attempt at some point in their life
• The suicide rate in Scotland rose by 8% between 2015 and 2016, with 728 suicides registered in Scotland in 2016