Thread by @AVONHMO

'Man up!"

This is why many men don't talk about their #mentalhealth struggles and it's a major issue. It's also why suicide remains one of the biggest killers of men around the world.

Here are 10 tips for men to improve their mental health.

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1. Talk

Without doubt, this is the most important step you can take as a man. It's important to reach out to family or friends when you’re struggling, however impossible it may seem at the time. Opening up about your problems can literally save your life.

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2. Get therapy

Following on from talking, therapy is important for men - be it group therapy or engaging a private therapist. The benefits of sharing negative thoughts locked inside your head, with an impartial and non-judgmental listener is immeasurable.

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Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave is was a very important approach to improved mental health.

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3. Use medication if necessary

Many men feel sceptical of antidepressants – often SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) but it can lift you out of a dark place when you're battling depression.

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Combining prescribed medicine with another of the activities found on this list, especially talking therapy, is recommended as the best approach.

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4 See your GP

Often one of the first steps taken. Speaking to a doctor can be the start of any man's recovery and having a trusted, neutral person listen to your problems and offer guidance makes it easier to seek specialised care.

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5. Practice mindfulness

The act of focusing on your breathing and learning to be present – not ruminating on the past or worrying about the future – is a surprising and enlightening game-changer.

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6. Exercise

Whether it’s an individual activity like running, going to the gym or taking a yoga class - or a team sport like football, there are proven benefits of physical exercise for mental health.

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Even if you're struggling with fatigue, listlessness and a lack of motivation, just five minutes of exercise can release those helpful endorphin chemicals that will make you feel a whole lot better.

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7. Practice self-acceptance/self- compassion

Learning to tame your inner-critic and accept yourself for who you are, ‘warts and all’, is a key step in recovery for anyone dealing with mental health issues.

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Being kind and compassionate to yourself, lowering your high standards and trying to avoid the pitfall of perfectionism are common themes for men with mental health struggles.

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8. Avoid Alcohol or Drug Abuse

Turning to drink and drugs (or any other self-medication) to avoid your problems, although tempting and understandable, is simply not the answer to mental health issues.

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For many men recovering from addiction, the common thread is that they only began to get better mentally when they became sober.

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9. Faith

Having a belief in something greater than yourself - be it God, Buddha, Allah or another higher power - can be a great comfort to many.

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In a world which places such a high value on commercial and material success, having something spiritual can give people a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

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10. Find a hobby

Finding something to be passionate about to distract yourself from the ‘grind in your mind’ is highly recommended.

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It doesn't matter if it's photography, gardening, video games, chess or a pet dog – whatever you’re interested in – try and make time for old hobbies and be open to new ones too.

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There are some fantastic charities doing great work to reduce the stigma around mental illness. One of them is @MentallyAwareNG, doing amazing work to raise mental health awareness and reduce suicide rates in the country.

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Still, f we’re ever going to reduce the number of men tragically taking their own lives, we need to encourage men to open up, not to ‘man up’.
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