I spoke to 3 friends on Friday night whose lives are turned upside down because of their sons’ mental health. One son is gambling, one seems terribly depressed & one is struggling with his self-esteem. I have a boy and a girl and I see their struggles but recently I have been worrying more about our boys – our sons.
Trigger Warning:- TW suicide
As a MHFAider, I am trained to assess if someone is having suicidal thoughts. I am also trained to assess if those suicidal thoughts might have led to a suicide plan. But when it actually happens, it is shocking and upsetting. I recently assessed a friend’s son as possibly ( I am not a medical professional) needing urgent mental health support. She asked me to come over to her house urgently. When I got there, he was sat next to her writing a suicide note. I might have thought that if he is being that blatant & so open about it, then it cant be serious. But, we are trained to take it seriously whatever we might think. We called the crisis team. At first, they brushed us off but we persisted. We persuaded them to come and assess him. This was the turning point for him. At last, he was getting proper help. He was being supported. And now, he is on a recovery journey.
🌋 In the UK, suicide is a significant issue among young men, and it remains one of the leading causes of death for men under the age of 45.
🍉 Men are disproportionately affected by suicide, with the highest rates among those aged 20–49.
🌰 About 75% of suicides in the UK are by men, and the suicide rate is notably higher among young men. The ONS reported that in recent years, the suicide rate among men aged 20–34 has ranged from 13 to 16 deaths per 100,000.
Efforts to provide mental health resources, reduce stigma, and encourage young men to seek help are critical to addressing this issue. Many organizations, such as CALM, Samaritans, and Mind, offer resources and support for those who may be struggling.
YoungMinds is a UK-based charity focused on supporting young people’s mental health. They offer several resources and support channels for young people, parents, and caregivers. Here’s how you can contact them:
Young people in need of immediate help can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger service. This is a free, 24/7 text service for young people experiencing a mental health crisis.
📳 Text: YM to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer who can provide support and guidance.
☎ YoungMinds offers a dedicated Parents Helpline for parents and caregivers who need advice on supporting a young person’s mental health.
– Call: 0808 802 5544
Visit their website at https://lnkd.in/eJZpTwMP, which offers a wealth of mental health resources, articles, and toolkits for young people and those supporting them.
YoungMinds provides compassionate support, especially for those in crisis, and is committed to improving the mental well-being of young people in the UK.