HPA encourages young men not to mask their problems

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) is encouraging young men to open up and talk about their problems rather than masking or covering them up as this can be damaging to their mental health.

The message is going out as part of a campaign that was developed in response to Protect life: a shared vision. The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2006–2011, identifying young men as a key target group. This campaign focuses particularly on young men aged 16–24 years and incorporates television and radio advertising.

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “We know from research that men are less likely than women to seek help for any health problem and the added stigma accorded to mental health means that men are less likely to seek help when there is a problem. It is not easy for young men to open up but we hope the campaign will encourage more people, particularly men, to talk about anything that is worrying them or getting them down.”

An initial evaluation of the campaign, which was first broadcast in June 2008, has shown that it is having an impact. In total, 79% of people surveyed said they were aware of the campaign and among the target group, males aged 16–24 years, awareness was higher at 83%. Results also revealed that when questioned, almost two out of three respondents (64%) said the TV element of the campaign had encouraged them to think about or do something about their mental health, such as discuss mental health issues with someone, get more information, seek help for themselves or seek help for someone else.¹

Dr Gaffney continued: “These results are extremely positive, particularly when people are motivated to do something to help their mental health. We must be aware that when stress turns into distress, it really is time to take action.

“We may think that we have no control over our mental health but this is not true. Research by the HPA shows a higher percentage of people believe they have more control over their physical health than their mental health.²

“However, we can take action in a number of ways to promote and protect our mental wellbeing – by keeping active, mixing with others and seeking help when we need to. It is vitally important to talk to someone you trust about how you feel, whether that person is a friend, family member or your GP. If you’ve got things on your mind, take the first step and talk to someone.”

END

Notes to the editor
Dr Brian Gaffney will be available for interview on Monday 2 February. Contact HPA Press Office to arrange interview.

¹ Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland. Evaluation of a mental health campaign (2008). Belfast: HPA, December 2008. Unpublished.

² Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland. Public attitudes, perceptions and understanding of mental health in Northern Ireland. Belfast: HPA, March 2006.

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The HPA Press Office on Tel: 028 9031 1611.