Suicide rates for men reach 20 year high
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More men ended their lives last year than any time in the last twenty years, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.
Figures just out show men accounted for more than three-quarters of suicide deaths registered in Wales from 1981-2019, whilst the suicide rate for men for England and Wales in 2019 was the highest it has been for twenty years.
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The ONS said these statistics could be because of a number of reasons: “Because this group is more likely to be affected by economic adversity, alcoholism and isolation. It could also be that this group is less inclined to seek help.”
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David Harris is founder of Men’s Shed in Treorchy, an organisation that encourages men to talk about their feelings through social connections and friendship building. He says that support networks for men such as “Men’s Shed” are now more important than ever.
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“Men generally don’t make the request for help. It is a stigma for most people but men are affected by this stigma the most," he said.
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“Groups out their like Men’s Shed that are tackling mental health, this is a man-to-man support network that wasn’t there a few years ago. The awareness is improving now in the community."
Gavin McAuley lives alone, and has been involved in volunteering with the Men’s Shed programme after finding lockdown and isolation hard.
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​Gavin said: “Some men have lost their confidence and self-worth after losing their jobs because of the Covid -19 lockdowns. I suffered terribly with loneliness over lockdown and am thankful I had options such as Men’s Shed to turn to.
Men's Shed Treorchy (credit: menshedcymru.co.uk)
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"With Men’s Shed help I believe we can give back the confidence and enthusiasm these men deserve so that their families can live happy positive lives.”
The statistics over the last 40 years show rates of suicide in Wales are highest in those that are middle aged, particularly between 40-44, with total of nearly 12000.
Gavin says that although the stigma surrounding mental health is getting better now, he thinks it is still so abundant in middle aged men because of the ideas drilled into them when they were younger.
He said:“During my life, my dad and my grandad would not talk about their feelings. My dad always told me if I am going to cry go and do it in a place where no-one can see you.
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"I want men to feel just as comfortable talking about their low motivation, or lack of emotion, or hurtful thoughts as they as talking about their sore back or dodgy knee.
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“I know that the last 10 months is going to have a huge ripple in the publics mental health, especially teenagers who are already struggling with social relationships and those who are socially isolated.”
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Experts are also worried that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are resulting in more people experiencing isolation and loneliness.
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Ruth Sutherland, the Chief Executive of the Samaritans, said: “With the impact of the pandemic this year taking a huge toll on people’s mental wellbeing, we should be even more concerned.
“Volunteers are telling us that many callers have been worried about losing their job and/or business and their finances, with common themes around not being able to pay rent/mortgage, inability to support the family, and fear of homelessness.”
The total number of deaths due to suicide in 2019 is far higher than the number in 1981.
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The number of male suicides compared to female is worrying mental health campaigners from around the UK- they say it is clear the toxic masculinity idea that has been normalised by society is still an issue that needs to be tackled.
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Support groups such as Men's Shed say it's an issue which has been exacerbated during lockdown.
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If you or anyone you know is affected by what is mentioned in this story, you can find help at the following resources:
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The Samaritans are open 24 hours a day. Call 116 123 or email
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support to men. Their phone lines are open between 17:00 and 00:00 every day - 0800 58 58 58
Men’s Shed provides a safe space for men to talk about their feelings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517035755170544