Men's mental health: it's ok to talk

On this page:

• Men and mental health
• When you're not feeling yourself
• If you're having thoughts of suicide
• Peer Support for men
• Promoting mental health through activity

Men and mental health

For some men, talking about mental health or asking for support can feel particularly difficult. You might feel that you should be able to cope on your own, worry about what other people will think, or simply not know how to explain what you're experiencing. 

You don't have to choose between being strong and asking for help.

Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, relationship difficulties, academic pressure, money worries or something else, support is available.  Talking about how you're doing is a strength, not a weakness.  It is resilient behaviour to seek and accept support.  And you don't have to wait until things become overwhelming before reaching out.

When you're not feeling yourself 

Mental health difficulties don't always look like sadness. 

You might notice that you're:

• feeling more irritable, angry or frustrated than usual.
• withdrawing from friends, family or other people.
• drinking more or using substances to cope.
• struggling to sleep or concentrate.
• losing interest in things you normally enjoy.
• putting pressure on yourself to keep going despite feeling exhausted.
• finding university work increasingly difficult to manage.
• feeling lonely, isolated or disconnected.
• avoiding conversations about how you're feeling.
• thinking that other people have things more under control than you do.

Sometimes struggling can look like keeping busy, working harder, becoming withdrawn, taking risks or repeatedly saying "I'm fine" when things aren't fine.

You don't need to know exactly what's wrong, before asking for help. 

Please visit Student Wellbeing for support.

If you're having thoughts of suicide

You may not describe yourself as suicidal.  You might instead feel that you can't carry on as things are, that other people would be better off without you, or that you simply want everything to stop.

Whatever you're experiencing, you don't have to deal with it alone.

If you are having suicidal thoughts and don't feel that you can keep yourself safe - please seek immediate help.  Get help quickly

Other sources of support:

Peer Support for men

Peer support can offer something different from professional support: the opportunity to meet other men, share experiences and realise that you aren't the only person dealing with difficult things.

You don't necessarily have to talk about mental health. Sometimes simply being around other people and building connections can help.

University societies, sports clubs, student groups and other communities can provide opportunities to meet people, develop friendships and feel connected.  Find something that gives you a reason to turn up.

MOMENTUM (male student peer support group)

Momentum is a relaxed, drop-in support space for male students at the University of Hertfordshire facilitated by Student Wellbeing.  Find out more about the peer support group here.

ANDYSMANCLUB

ANDYSMANCLUB is a men's suicide prevention charity offering free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online.  Groups meet every Monday at 7pm, except bank holidays.  There is no need to book or be referred. You can simply turn up, and there is no pressure to speak if you'd rather listen.

Promoting mental health through activity

Physical activity and exercise can improve your mental health.

HertSquad runs the Active Wellbeing programme to support student's mental wellbeing through physical activity.  

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