An alarming report has revealed the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on men’s mental health in Salford.
Salford Men’s Mental Health Commission has found that the cost-of-living crisis and other financial issues negatively impact just under two thirds of men’s mental health.
In collaboration with Healthwatch Salford, the Men in Mind report discovered that the cost-of-living crisis has had an increasing affect on men’s mental health, with its release coinciding with International Men’s Day (19 November).
The commission found that out of the 335 Salford men that participated, 64% of them said that the cost-of-living crisis has had a negative affect on their stress and mood, the second most significant factor after sleep patterns.
Adult support services manager for the charity Salford Foundation, Paul Bona, said: “Obviously income, finance and money itself is a key issue when it comes to men’s mental health. The lack of funds available to people and the rising costs probably makes the gap harder for people to bridge.
“We see a lot of people here that present in crisis, struggling to cover bills or maybe struggling with housing.
“We have a couple of services that run from here which specifically target things like money advice and housing. They’re very heavily subscribed services which is all linked to the cost of living.”
Additionally, 35% of participants said that they do not have “a good work-life balance,” identifying work pressures and the rising cost of living as “major obstacles.”
The report says the pressure to provide or be the breadwinner takes an extra toll on men’s mental health.
Paul said: “I think both male and females are affected, but the manifestation is very different.
“We certainly see men maybe lash out a little bit more. They sort of display their anger a little bit easier. So you’re dealing with a lot of frustration.
“Coping techniques, to help support mental health, is another thing we always try and help provide for people.”
Salford Foundation offers many services that can help with the rising pressure of the cost-of-living.
The Shed is a “wellbeing hub” for men in Salford which offers guidance and support for a wide-range of vulnerable men in the area, with Bona expressing the importance of these facilities.
“We get a whole host of backgrounds and issues that people present. They may have been recently released from prison or just struggling financially,” Paul added.
“Obviously finance, money, debt, employment, mental health, they all tie into that particular project quite heavily.
“We also have a veterans offer which is opening very soon so we can support people that have been through the military.
“It’s quite encompassing in terms of a welfare hub. We look to provide a sort of an all round service.”
The report recommends that more mental and physical health services should be established to combat the issue. It also suggested that mental health services should encourage more participation from men in “marginalised communities” by forging better links.
Paul expressed how the City Council does a great amount of work to help with mental health and always strives to do more, but it is limited by funding.
“Salford foundation and The Shed are actually tied up with Salford Council on a number of projects,” he said. “We find them to be very supportive and they’re a very good partner of ours.
“There’s always scope for opportunity to develop programmes, especially with men’s mental health. As we know, it’s a service which is constantly growing. I think over the last 10 years there’s been a bigger focus on the impact that bad mental health can have with men, specifically.”
Read the full report here.
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