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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 11 June

June 11, 2021

My blog this week is unashamedly targeted at the men in our Trust.  In particular, I want to concentrate on men’s health as next week (14 – 21 June) is Men’s Health Week, acknowledging the issues that may have emerged during the pandemic as we continue to navigate through the ease of lockdown. We will be shining a spot light on the issues that affect our male workforce.

It may not have escaped those of you who have met me that I am a man.  Men tend to be pretty non-committal when it comes to talking about their health and then taking the next step to seek professional advice when its required.  If I share some of my own experience in the last 10 years or so openly with you, perhaps it might make a few more men come forward to ask about their own health and seek advice when they need it.  If I can help shift just a few people’s opinions and approaches, then it will have been worth sharing this.  The publicity of next week should help shift some more people’s stances on this too:

  • I have had a testicular cancer “scare” – but the issue was resolved without additional concern or intervention because finally, after years of nagging, my wife persuaded me to examine my testes for lumps
  • I suffer with IBS and, after years of drinking beer and eating curry like many “blokes” I’ve adjusted my diet significantly to alleviate the symptoms
  • I have had mental health issues in the past and plucked up the courage to get beyond the wave of male embarrassment to seek help and received cognitive behavioural therapy via my local GP practice, to assist
  • My weight has shifted significantly through periods of “boom and bust” on eating and exercise, and I now seek much more balance to my diet and lifestyle but still don’t do anywhere near enough exercise for a man approaching 50 rapidly
  • I have had a heart condition which I sought help for too late and made myself quite ill in the interim, just hoping that the unsettling symptoms would pass, almost fainting in a meeting at work in the process

Mental health in men is a real issue.  1 in 8 men have common mental health concerns and are often less likely to talk to someone. Sadly research by the Samaritans shows that 76% of suicide related deaths relate to men with men in the 45 – 49 aged category still having the highest rates of suicide.

Consider ways to support your wellbeing – here are four ways to make a start:

  • Connect with others, stay engaged, spend time with people who make you feel good
  • Take notice be in the present, explore your surroundings and find new local places to visit
  • Learn something new
  • Stay Active – being outside and being active can help lift our mood. Fancy getting fitter? try this link:  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

Within our Black Country & West Birmingham system we are supporting Black Country Healthcare NHS FT in collaboration with the NIHR Clinical Research Network West Midlands – in running the first NHS Men’s Health Event – developed specifically to celebrate topics of interest to our male workforce during Men’s Health Week.

Sessions are designed to explore a range of topics:

  • weight management and nutrition
  • male-specific cancer awareness
  • understanding gender identity
  • lived experience of mental health conditions
  • sleep, relationships and parenting
  • addictions (gambling, drugs and alcohol)
  • finance
  • divorce, bereavement, andropause and self-esteem
  • and much, much more!

The event is available to all, and each session will be supported by both experts and those with lived experience. There will also be an opportunity to take part in some fitness sessions; these will range from yoga and meditation, to a low/high impact bodyweight workout.

To find out more, please visit the event page where you can see the full schedule of sessions taking place daily, starting on Monday 14 June.

Bookings are now live (all places are free)

Please register your interest by securing your place on Eventbrite. Registration for each session is located on the main event page where you will receive your link to join via MS Teams.

There will be an opportunity to watch a recording of all the sessions if you are unable to attend. The event page will act as a useful resource afterwards, to provide a reference to all topics and can be accessed in the future.

If you have any questions, please send an email to info.menshealth@nihr.ac.uk, tammy.partridge-smith1@nhs.net, samuel.skelding1@nhs.net.

Helpful support and resources for men’s health and wellbeing

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/five-ways-wellbeing
https://people.nhs.uk/
Men’s Sheds
Head 4 Health, Wolves Foundation
Beating Eating Disorders
The Male Menopause
Male specific cancers
NHS Health Check
The campaign against living miserably
Mental Health for BAME and POC
LGBTQ Foundation
Men’s Advice Line
Drink Aware
Sexual Health
Quit smoking
Kickstart your health
Risk factors for heart health

Finally, remember – if a gruff, middle aged Yorkshireman like me can get over his embarrassment and anxiety and seek help on his health issues, then so can you.  Please do engage in this important agenda.

Have a good week.

Richard