tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244428149147021477.post8297625422504251553..comments2024-01-22T21:18:19.734+00:00Comments on Sorted blog: Why Gary Speed is not aloneJoy Tibbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09966055652243530101noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244428149147021477.post-33004321247230421082011-12-07T11:46:59.084+00:002011-12-07T11:46:59.084+00:00I wholeheartedly agree with Glen that boys, young ...I wholeheartedly agree with Glen that boys, young men and adult males are in need of particular attention. This I feel is sadly true for other distinct groups whose needs are not currently being met. Personally I believe that until we are willing to see our mental health the same as our physical health and discuss these topics openly throughout society we will sadly be reminded of our failures to support one another again and again. We have physical first aiders and fire officers in virtually every public, private and community environment we step into – and rightly so. However rarely do we see similar roles and resources directed to support each other with our emotional and mental wellbeing. We can develop our basic skills needed to enable people to feel confident in looking out for the signs and symptoms in others, asking simple questions to find out how someone is really feeling and supporting people in finding their own way to recovery either through self help, community or professional support. Sadly we continue to see people feeling isolated and desperate and alone, not only because of how they are feeling but also the stigma and discrimination that exists for all around mental health. JaanJaannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244428149147021477.post-89070924874980390852011-12-06T21:15:07.933+00:002011-12-06T21:15:07.933+00:00Also worth adding in the list of reasons is that &...Also worth adding in the list of reasons is that "men and boys" are not recognized as a distinct group with specific needs by the public sector. Mind UK say that the lack of a national mental health strategy for men is one of the countries biggest health inequalities. It isn't just the way men are - it's the way men are conditioned. When i go into schools and work with a group of young men they go from saying nothing to sharing the most personal stuff in half an hour if you create a space that where it is normal for them to do so. Unfortunately, we don't relate to men as their potential we tend to relate to me as a problem - when it comes to men and women - we tend to relate to women as having problems and men being problems - and in a society where we relate to men as problems (and not as their potential) it isn't surprising that we breed men who are unable to reach out for help. Thanks for discussing this - glen, the men's networkGlen Poolehttp://www.themensnetwork.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244428149147021477.post-28711564799719365722011-12-06T11:42:29.976+00:002011-12-06T11:42:29.976+00:00An informative, compassionate and practical respon...An informative, compassionate and practical response to a most worrying situation. Thanks Joy.Michael Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07911999431947198576noreply@blogger.com