What 6 Mental Health Experts Want You To Know About Male Suicide

“Over 5,000 people die by suicide annually in the UK, with men three times as likely as women to take their own life. At present, men account for around 75% of suicides in the UK, with an average of 13 men dying as a result of suicide each day. Back in 2020, it was announced the number of male suicides had reached a two-decade high in England and Wales, with the increase in numbers largely linked to the pandemic. However, these figures remain steady, and mental health experts agree this is due to the cost-of-living crisis. For men in particular – who often have the gendered stereotype of being the ones who bring in the money – the financial strain of the last few years will undoubtedly have had an impact on men’s perceptions of themselves, and their ability to provide for their families.” – Kate Bithell, mental health expert at Delamere

“Many men don’t realise the problems they’re experiencing are mental health conditions, so they are less likely to seek help, putting them at an increased risk of suicide. Worryingly, it’s also more common for men to self-medicate instead of seeking help in order to cope with difficult emotions. Alcoholism is more common in men and this can be linked to suicide. We’ve come a long way with the way mental health is spoken about and reported on in the UK, but there’s still room for improvement. Mental health still has a lot of stigma attached to it that makes people afraid or unable to speak about what they are experiencing. This stigma can be extremely damaging to those struggling with suicidal thoughts, as it may stop them from reaching out for help. When it comes to mental health and suicide, prevention is always better than cure.” – Kate

“If someone is struggling, you may notice they are withdrawn from activities they used to enjoy, such as going out with friends, or they seem disconnected from work or others around them. You may also notice unusual behaviour, or behaviour that seems out of character, such as dramatic shifts in emotion, or their usual everyday functioning at work or school has suddenly dropped. There are also more subtle signs that may indicate someone is at risk of suicide, including increasing alcohol consumption, worsening drug abuse, being careless about taking medication, driving recklessly or engaging in more reckless behaviours, buying unusual items that could be used for self-harm, and giving up on personal hygiene or other positive habits.” – Kate

“It’s important to understand that everyone copes and reacts in their own way, and some men might display just one symptom, while for others, it’s two or more. It’s also worth being mindful of difficult situations which may trigger suicidal thoughts – like bereavement, financial problems, job-related stress or family and relationship problems. Always act if you notice a friend has suddenly become distant; is talking about feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless; or talks about feeling trapped by circumstances they can’t see a way out of, or they feel it hard to cope with everyday things. Reaching out to someone you care about is important – it helps them know you care and that they are valued.” – Katie Hardcastle, senior research manager at Samaritans

“If you see someone posting worrying things on social media, don’t be afraid to step in. Ask your friend directly whether they are thinking about suicide. Or say something along the lines of, ‘I know you’re going through a lot. I just wanted to talk and hear about how you’re feeling.’ Empathising with their situation and asking open-ended questions may make them more likely to open up to you. You can always report a post to the social media platform if you are worried, but they may just remove the post and not offer support to the individual.” – Kate

“A friendly conversation or simple acts of kindness can make a critical difference to someone who is feeling suicidal. Suicide can seem frightening and overwhelming, and it’s natural for many of us to want to look the other way. But just talking and showing you care can be an incredible help. Being someone who’s been there, I know being listened to and getting the right help quickly is vital. Whether it’s mental health, addiction, financial problems or other issues, it often feels like no one else will understand what we’re going through. Most people that take their own life have not sought help so that’s where we need to make the helping hand more visible and accessible. Once we reach out for help and are willing to receive it, then our perspective can change to one of hope and purpose.” – Gary Smith, mental health speaker at the Informal