November is Men’s Health Awareness Month with International Men’s Day falling on November 19th.
Globally, men die on average six years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. Which means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives.
Men’s Health Awareness Month is dedicated to bringing awareness to a wide range of men’s health issues.
Some men don’t like asking for help, but we are encouraging you to reach out if you need to. Speak to a friend, family member or colleague.
Movember have highlighted 5 key actions you can take to improve your physical/ mental health
- Spend time with people that make you feel good – stay connected. Your mates are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
- Talk, More – You don’t have to be an expert and you don’t have to be the sole solution, but being there for someone, listening and giving your time can be life-saving.
- Know the numbers – At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it’s right for you to have a PSA test. If you are of African or Caribbean descent you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor.
- Know thy nuts. Simple – Get to know what’s normal for your testicles. Give them a check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
- Move, More – Add more activity to your day. Do more of what makes you feel good. Take a walking meeting. Park further away from the station. Get off the bus a stop or two earlier. Instead of the lift take the stairs. Cycle to work rather than driving.
Here at Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership we have a section of our health and wellbeing webpage dedicated to Men’s Health. There are lots of resources available, recorded webinars and signposting. We would also encourage you to download our free health and wellbeing app HNY Our People (available from the app store), which encourages building healthy habits and has lots of tools to help you improve your wellbeing.
Find out more via our webpage: Health and Wellbeing – Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
If you’re struggling with your mental health you can self-refer to the Resilience Hub whose staff are trained mental health professionals with extensive experience of working with people with a wide range of needs.
For more information please email us at hny.wellbeing@nhs.net