by Alan Jacques
MEN in Limerick and around the country worried about their mental health this Christmas are being urged “not to weather the storm on their own”.
MyMind Centre for Mental Wellbeing, located at 66 O’Connell Street, and the Irish Men’s Shed Association (IMSA) have come together through the shared mission to improve the mental wellbeing of Irish men.
With Ireland having one of the highest rates of male suicide in the world, they are now urging men across the country to talk to someone if they’re worried about their mental health.
Many men with mental health issues, they say, don’t seek help, and there continues to be a reluctance amongst males to talk about their problems as often they did not wish to appear vulnerable in front of their families and friends.
MyMind CEO and founder Krystian Fikert expressed his hope to raise awareness of men’s mental wellbeing and to battle the stigma that men too often face around their mental health.
“We want to get men talking about what’s worrying them — whether they’re feeling depressed, anxious, lonely, or stressed — and to let them know that help is there if they need it,” he explained.
“Currently, around 39 per cent of our clients are men. MyMind hopes to see a greater gender balance by working with organisations like Men’s Sheds which encourage men to connect, reach out and talk to those around them.”
Irish Men’s Shed Association chief executive Barry Sheridan said its partnership with MyMind has grown from a mutual desire to get men minding their mental health.
“Most men have learnt from our culture that they don’t talk about feelings and emotions. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to talk about their emotions and that means that they usually don’t ask for help,” said Mr Sheridan.
“Becoming a member of a Community Men’s Shed gives a man a safe and busy environment where he can find many of these things in an atmosphere of friendship. In this environment, men are more likely to reach out to others and to share a problem on their mind.”
For more information on MyMind or to book an appointment visit mymind.org or call 0766 80 10 60.
