Number of men having suicidal thoughts doubles in 10 years, study finds

The study also revealed an increase in coping mechanisms, such as drinking alone and recreational drug use

Men are still three times as likely to take their own life than women (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

One in ten men in the UK has suicidal thoughts when feeling worried or low, according to a new study – double the level from 2009.

However, men are almost three times more likely to see a therapist about mental health problems, compared with a decade ago.

A new report commissioned by mental health charity Mind in collaboration with the English Football League (EFL) called Get It Off Your Chest: Men’s Mental Health 10 Years On surveyed men in September 2019 and compared the findings with the same YouGov survey from 2009 to assess how men’s mental health has changed.

In the 2009 study, one in 20 men reported suicidal feelings when low or worried, compared with one in 10 men in 2019.

The new figures show a worrying increase in negative coping mechanisms, such as drinking alone (up from nine per cent to 13 per cent) and taking recreational drugs (up from one per cent to four per cent).

Of over 2,000 men surveyed, 43 per cent admitted to regularly feeling worried or low, compared with 53 per cent of women.

This represented an increase of six per cent for men, more than double the rise reported by women.

The report has led to calls from the charity for more government funding of NHS mental health services for men.

On a more positive note, however, men were more willing to seek support from their GP, a figure that rose from 23 per cent to 35 per cent.

“This suggests that the stigma around seeking support is lessening, with awareness-raising campaigns such as Time to Change challenging stereotypes of the 'strong, silent' man,” the report said.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “It's really positive that men are more likely to seek help from the NHS and talk to friends and family about their mental health than they were 10 years ago.

"As a society, we have become more open about mental health in the last decade as campaigns such as Time to Change and Mind's partnership with the EFL have helped to shift stigmatising attitudes and behaviours, and this may be beginning to filter through.”

Farmer added that men still struggled to get help for their mental health, however, with some unsure where to go for help.

“The challenges facing men are likely to be compounded by the pandemic as well as the economic recession, not least because we know that men's mental health tends to be more affected by unemployment.”

Farmer added that more education could be needed about further options for men to improve their mental health, such as physical and social activities.

“Ultimately, men are still three times as likely to take their own life as women, so there is much more to do to make sure men can ask for help and can get the right support when they need it and before reaching crisis point,” he said.

“We call on the government to respond to this unmet need urgently and for the NHS to be funded to provide a better range of mental health services tailored to the needs of men.”

Mind cited figures from the Office for National Statistics showing three-quarters of deaths registered as suicide in England and Wales in 2019 were men, accounting for 4,303 deaths.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.