International Men’s Day is approaching, and we spoke to Jason Carlton, Director of Uptech on the importance of raising awareness of mental health in organisations. “International Men’s Day is a good talking point to embrace the people around us and take the opportunity to check in with loved ones, family members, friends and work colleagues on how there are….is anything troubling them that they may be willing to share and open up with. A high percentage of men are very good at masking their true thoughts and feelings and not sharing with others with their real problems. We have the tendency to allow our thoughts to build up challenges and problems that confront us which in turn can trigger our vulnerabilities that leads to an unclear state of mind into what we think is the way out. Our mental state and wellbeing is clearly not just down to gender or age its a massive problem across for board and is wrapped around different layers in what is perceived to fit in culturally and accepted in our environments and communities which can isolate us and single us out and have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing feeling alone. If there is a takeaway in awareness of mental health issues – I would encourage business owners – leaders to roll out mental health champion training within their organisations. For family members and friends to get involved in your local organisations within your community in learning skills be part of how you can help. It’s so important with many of us losing someone because we couldn’t see the symptoms …. So to be able to try and recognise when someone is screaming for help but no one hears them! From personal experience first-hand what I know now has helped me understand more about having the tools and the ability to help others and point them to seek the right help before it’s too late. Being a mental health champion is not about being the fixer or giving professional advice, for me it’s being the beacon and being able to act when there are obvious signs, when talking to someone who may well be suffering on the inside but doesn’t know how or won’t cry for help!” Find out more about International Men’s Day here.
