Follow five ways to wellbeing this Men’s Health Week

Residents are being encouraged to make time to look after their mental health and wellbeing this Men's Health Week.

It comes as the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates instances of poor mental health and wellbeing, particularly among men.

A recent survey by YouGov survey found that around 53% of men have felt anxious at least several times a month since March 2020 and around 38% said they have noticed a negative effect on their mental health since going into the first lockdown.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Welbeing, said: "Covid-19 has put immense pressure on people’s physical and mental health right across society and, unfortunately, a definitive end to the pandemic is not yet in sight.

"As we tentatively emerge from the global emergency and try to create a ‘new normal’, for many, anxieties, questions and concerns for the future now abound.

"Even before Covid, there was a grave disparity in the high number of men who die from suicide and the low number of men who seek treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges.

"Therefore, it is extremely timely that the Men’s Health Forum is spearheading this campaign and encouraging people to take time out to look after their mental health and wellbeing.”

As part of Men's Health Week 2021, people are being encouraged to complete the Can Do Challenge, based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing - Connect (connect with other people); Be Active (go for a walk, run, bike ride or swim); Notice (take notice of the environment around you); Discover (learn something new); Offer or give (do something for someone else). Visit www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw for details.

People are also encouraged to visit Every Mind Matters – www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters – for simple tips and advice to start taking better care of their mental health. The Mental Health Foundation has a wide range of resources available at www.mentalhealth.org.uk, the NHS at  www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression offers self-assessment, audio guides and other practical tools and the council's #StaySafeBeKind campaign includes a range of health and wellbeing support such as details of organisations which can help people struggling with issues like debt, isolation and domestic violence. Find out more at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/staysafebekind.

Further support can also be found at the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's mental health helpline - 0800 008 6516 - which provides advice, support and signposting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people of all ages, and from the Samaritans at www.samaritans.org, by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.

Rethink runs a freephone service for those in need of support, reassurance and understanding – call 0808 802 2208 (Monday to Friday, 6pm-3am, Saturday and Sunday 2pm-3am) or visit visit www.rethink.org. Meanwhile, people can self-refer to Wolverhampton Healthy Minds via www.wolverhamptonhealthyminds.nhs.uk or by calling 0800 923 0222 or 01902 441856, or alternatively speak to your GP. Finally, Headspace, the meditation app, has partnered with Netflix for a series on meditation – for more details, visit www.headspace.com/netflix.