Notes from meeting: 13 June 2006

A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE MEN’S HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS

MEETING TO DISCUSS MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

Chairs: Dr Howard Stoate and Dr Lynne Jones
Speakers: Philip Hodson (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and broadcaster), Dr Phil Timms (Royal College of Psychiatrists) and David Wilkins (Men’s Health Forum)

Dr Stoate opened the meeting noting that it was Men’s Health Week and that numerous events and press features were being held around the country including a big conference at Wembley on 14th June. Dr Stoate explained that suicide was the biggest killer of young men and that men are more likely to commit suicide than women, they also suffer more from stress and are more likely to turn to alcohol. Men want help, but don’t know how to get it and often lack the emotional networks which women rely on. Haynes have produced a Brain Manual (Brain Manuals can be ordered online at www.menshealthforum.org.uk) to coincide with Men’s Health Week which provides an accessible guide to mental health and wellbeing for men. Dr Stoate also mentioned the happiness agenda promoted by people such as Lord Layard.

Philip Hodson

Mr Hodson began be stating that once a person’s income reaches £35k they will find that more money does not necessarily make them happier and that as people tend to compare themselves with others who are better off then themselves this can be depressing. Money cannot make a person feel better if they have clinical depression. Men often act out when feeling distressed and this may lead to a crisis in their life affecting their relationships and work, this may cover up the fact that they are suffering from mental health problems. Men tend to be less open about their feelings and health generally and instead of seeking help from a doctor or talking to friends may turn to alcohol.

Mr Hodson noted that there needs to be a more gender-tailored approach in mental health to address men’s needs. Men need to be convinced that it is brave to talk about their feelings and that therapy can help. The Government has been attracted by Lord Layard’s work on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but there are also other therapies available which are of great value. Boys need supportive parenting to reinforce their schooling and a male role model to provide them with direction.

Dr Phil Timms

Dr Timms spoke about a friend of his who had committed suicide at medical school and had not spoken to anyone about his feelings. He noted that this is not uncommon, men cover up their feelings and don’t ask for help. Instead they start drinking, take risks and become angry or complain of headaches rather than admitting that they are feeling depressed. Men’s mental health problems are often missed by GPs and friends because they are covered up. For many men, any illness is a sign of weakness but they may also fear the consequences of revealing their mental health problems to GPs, for example in case it affects their life insurance.

Men tend to like to be in control and this can prevent them from seeking help, however if this could be turned around so men see they are taking control of their own health this could be positive. A range of talking therapies are available which take a fairly no-nonsense approach which may be appealing to men. DIY CBT is also available online now. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has also recently launched a leaflet titled Men and Depression which provides advice (see www.rcpsych.ac.uk). Dr Timms also noted that in New Zealand, 10-12 year olds are taught about mental wellbeing and that this is proving very successful.

David Wilkins

Mr Wilkins highlighted the Men’s Health Forum’s recent report Mind Your Head which looks at mental health from a male point of view. Men may be affected by mental health problems from children when exclusion from school can occur to feeling suicidal in later life or becoming a missing person. Men’s mental health can be affected by many factors including financial situation, family and work, their mental wellbeing is very complex and depends on many things. Mr Wilkins presented five recommendations from the report:

• Mental health policy should focus on improving men’s mental health.
• Greater attention should be paid to male-specific indicators such as drinking.
• Services must adapt to meet men’s needs.
• Promotion of good mental health must acknowledge male traits.
• A national initiative is needed to address men’s mental health including working with employers.

Q&A

Lynne Jones MP asked the panel whether problems in adolescence affect men’s mental health in later life. Mr Hodson responded that it varies, some adults who have had tough childhoods are very driven and successful. Peter Kinderman (BPS) said that adolescence was a very important period of development and that it is vital that services are available to provide appropriate support to those having problems and that more funding is needed. He also noted that it is important for children and adolescents to have positive role models.

Matilda Macattram (Black Press) said that though some black adolescents were in gangs there were also some positive stories such as church groups which are strengthening communities. She also noted that the environment in mental health services has been very negative for black men as the Rocky Bennett case highlighted. The Government’s attitude towards conducting a Race Equality Impact Assessment of the reform of the Mental Health Act had not been encouraging despite the fact that black men are hugely overrepresented in the compulsory sector. Ms Macattram also noted that black children were more likely to be excluded from school than white children in London and that more responsive policies needed to be in place. Dr Timms agreed with the points made and stated that the Royal College was a member of the Mental Health Alliance and committed to campaigning for an improved Mental Health Bill. Mr Wilkins stated that many issues relating to black men were contained in his report and that he was aware how important race and religion were. However the main focus of the report was on the link between gender and mental health. Mr Hodson noted that church attendance was very low in the white community but perhaps it could be built on to support men better. He also notes that if there was no alternative social networks around then it was unsurprising that some young men joined gangs.

Nick Bosanquet stated that health was going through a lean funding period and asked whether there were any low cost solutions. Mr Wilkins stated that the new Equality Act will oblige all providers to provide services equally for men and women and this might act as a driver for change. Primary care is very bad at reaching men. Mr Hodson responded saying that some of the money spent on anti-depressants could be redeployed and spent on counselling and psychotherapy instead. Dr Timms noted that schools could play more of a role in promoting wellbeing and provide psychological support to students through mentoring and better training for staff.

Tim Nicholls (Office of Danny Alexander MP) asked how the traditional male characteristics could be influenced. Mr Wilkins said that though it was hard to affect what goes on in families, mental health promotion could seek to offer more support and advice for people bringing up children, particularly fathers.

Anita Sutcliffe noted that parents feel a lot of guilt when their children commit suicide but society shouldn’t judge them to have failed their children but support them.

Matthew Critchlow said that not enough was being done to promote good wellbeing before problems arise and that life coaching and sport can help to build resilience.

Alan White (Chair, Men’s Health Forum) stated that more research was needed into men’s mental health to strengthen the arguments for men-specific tailored services. A representative from the European Men’s Health Forum added that a study in Germany which had promoted mental health had been very successful.

Micia Starkey (Capital) asked for more information about online CBT. Dr Timms noted that it could be effective but only if the participant is prepared to put the time in and this can be hard without support. He also noted that many people with mental health problems do not have access to computers.

Dominic Makuuachuma Walker (Afiya Trust) said that many people from BME backgrounds feel excluded from mainstream mental health services which are rarely adapted for their needs. Dr Timms agreed that doctors needed to take more account of the individual needs of their patients and build relationships so that they can provide more tailored services.

Dr Stoate rounded up the session by thanking the speakers and also the audience for the well informed discussion.

Members:

Dr Howard Stoate MP
Dr Lynne Jones MP
Doug Naysmith MP
Baroness Murphy

Observers:
Shaun O’Leary – Men’s Health Forum
David Sean Barker
Gilly White – BACP
Dominic Makuuachuma Walker – Afiya Trust
Tim Nichols – Office of Danny Alexander MP
Nick Ellins – Water UK
Lucy Widenka – Rethink
Jenny Bywaters – NIMHE
Iona Joy – New Philanthropy Capital
Martin Ball – Together
Matthew A Critchlow
Micia Jayne Starky – Capital
Nigel Atter
Anita Sutcliffe - Papyrus
Peter Kinderman – BPS
Ros Meek – Wyeth
Robert Pascall – Prudential Partnership
Matilda Macattram – BLINK
Su Wang
Nick Bosanquet
Alan White
Peter Baker
Amo Kalar
Tony Ofosfere - SIRI
David Stone – Mind
Agnes Wheatcroft – Royal College of Psychiatrists