Looking out for your mates isn't as hard as you think

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year. For men in particular, it can be an awkward subject to talk about, but you don't have to be an expert - just looking out for someone can help. For more information on checking in with your friends, click here.

Click here for more information on helping someone.

It's ok to TALK

Top 5 things to know, and do

  1. Spend time with people who make you feel good.
    Stay connected! (virtually if not in person). Your mates are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch-up regularly, check in and make time.
  2. Talk, more.
    You don't need 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
  3. Know the numbers.
    At 50, talk to your doctor/GP about prostate cancer and whether it's right for you to have a PSA test. If you are black or have a father or brother with prostate cancer you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor. Learn more about prostate cancer.
  4. 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. Learn more about testicular cancer.
  5. Move, more.Add more activity to your day.
    Do more of what makes you feel good.

Men's Health Forum

The Men's Health Forum aims to help prevent premature male deaths from preventable causes and have a wealth of information on men's health, how to look after yourselves and answers to your health questions.

support is available

Visit the Men's Health Forum website to find out more

Find out more

Movember

Many of you will have heard of Movember as a month long, fundraising activity which encourages you to grow some artistic facial hair, try a physical challenge and generally come up with ideas to raise funds for men's health charities.

But Movember is now a 365 movement to raise awareness of men's health to encourage conversations about this and help people to stay healthier and live longer. Through the Movember website, you can find out a wealth of information about being a man, quality of life, testicular and prostate cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

support is available

Visit the Movember website to find out more

Find out more

Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if people are at higher risk of a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help you make informed decisions.

The NHS offers a range of screening tests to different sections of the population. Some screening tests are only offered to certain cohorts based on age, sex and health status.

Screening in pregnancy / for newborn babies

Pregnant women and new born babies are offered various types of screening.

Diabetic eye screening

From the age of 12, all people with diabetes are offered an annual diabetic eye test to check for early signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Bowel cancer screening

There are 2 types of screening for bowel cancer:

  • A home testing kit is offered to men and women aged 60 to 74.
  • Bowel scope screening uses a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end to look at the large bowel. It is offered to men and women at the age of 55 in some parts of England.
support is available

For an overview of screening, with links to the different types of screening offered, check out NHS England

Find out more

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Call the FREE & CONFIDENTIAL HELPLINE on 0800 030 5182

Giving you 24/7/365 confidential support on mental health and many other of life's issues or problems.

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