As Movember heads into its 21st year, its new ‘State of the Nation’ survey has revealed some hard truths about the state of men’s health in Ireland. While 82% acknowledge that mental health is critical, over a third consider their mental health to be in rough shape. For younger men in lower socio-economic areas, aged 25 to 34, that number jumps to 41%.
There’s still a major hurdle around opening up about mental health, with 1 in 5 Irish men. A fifth of men feel uncomfortable talking about it with their close friends, and this reluctance rises to 56% in the west of Ireland. 1 in 10 men feel that they don’t have a solid support network to lean on, yet the good news is that 84% say they’d seek help if they felt their mental health was in trouble.
The loneliness epidemic isn’t just global; it’s hitting close to home too. Almost 20% of men aged 25 to 34 in Ireland report often feeling lonely. That’s where Movember steps in. With resources, tools, and life-saving initiatives, they’re making sure Irish men have access to the support they need when life gets hairy.
Physically, two-thirds of men rank their health as “average”, but younger men again (25 to 34) are feeling the pinch, nearly half think they’re physically unhealthy. Though half of respondents go for routine checks every year, 1 in 4 only make the trip to the GP when something is wrong, a habit especially common among 18 – 24-year-olds.
MOVEMBER – HERE TO HELP
Tackling men’s health one moustache at a time, Movember has grown into a global movement committed to stopping men from dying too young by focusing on mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
When it comes to cancer, there’s a surprising knowledge gap. Research earlier this year from Movember uncovered that nearly one third (30%) of men in Ireland don’t know how to check their testicles for early signs and 1 in 5 men never check their testicles. Almost three quarters (62%) of men weren’t aware that testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers within young men aged 15-40 or that one in eight men in Ireland will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Socially, nearly half of Irish men (44%) think their social habits aren’t where they should be, with men (25 – 54 y/o) feeling the biggest hit. Over a fifth believe social media has a negative effect on their mental health, with this rising to 27% in men aged 25-34 y/o. Initiatives like Movember Ahead of the Game, in partnership with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is helping to change that narrative.
75% of mental health disorders will have emerged before the age of 24. That’s why conversations about mental health and fitness early in life are important. Helping young people build the skills to look after their own wellbeing, and support their teammates, is critical to lifelong mental resilience and mentally fit communities.
Movember, the leading men’s health charity, is back and ready to tackle some of the biggest health challenges facing men in Ireland and around the globe this November. So, join the Order of the Mo this November. The time is now. Ireland, let’s change the face of men’s health together – visit ie.movember.com
