FINDING a time and space that feels safe enough to be open and honest about our emotions can be difficult, and this can be especially true for men.

We know that overall knowledge rates of mental health issues are lower in men in Wales than women, and that men tend to have lower engagement with mental health services.

So, while support for men to talk more freely about their feelings continues to rise, there’s also a very real need to make sure their needs are heard and responded to in the right way too.

As Men’s Health Week (June 15 – 19) returns to highlight preventable and early detection of health problems in men, Mind Cymru is reminding people in Wales to focus on the mental as well as physical wellbeing of those around us, and with this in mind.

Research shows men experience mental health challenges differently from women, and that the issue of help-seeking for male mental health is complex.

Some experts say men can be conditioned to believe that seeking help for their mental health goes against society’s expectations of traditional masculine behaviours and that opening up can involve feelings of shame for many.

Recognising the different ways in which someone might show that they are struggling with their mental health can be the first step towards helping them get support.

In men, signs could include:

It takes energy and courage for anyone to admit that they’re struggling with their mental health, and men can find it especially challenging.

It’s important that they feel supported to talk openly about their feelings but also to seek out environments where they might feel more empowered to do so.

The first of five ways to wellbeing created by the New Economics Foundation is to connect with another person, followed by getting active, taking notice, learning and then giving.

So, it could be that playing or watching sport, enjoying a drink together, sharing a car journey or simply walking the dog leads to an open and honest conversation with a male friend or loved one.

And finding the right way to connect can also help a person feel like they have permission to open up and helps those listening respond compassionately and in a non-judgemental way too.

Julian John, Director at Mind Cymru, says: “Too many of us still carry mental health struggles quietly, and that’s especially true for men. Where I’m from, in the Welsh Valleys, you grow up seeing how often people just get on with life, keep it in, and don’t say a word. We’ve made some progress in encouraging men to open up, but we’ve got a long way to go.

“It’s not just about telling men to talk more, it’s about creating the kind of spaces where that feels possible - places where you can connect without pressure, where the focus might be on simply getting together, sharing an activity, and the conversation comes naturally. That’s often when people feel safest to open up.

“During Men’s Health Week it really matters that we ask ourselves how we’re doing not just physically, but mentally too – and, just as importantly, that we check in on the men around us. Sometimes it’s a quiet word, sometimes it’s just being there to listen, but those small acts of care can make a real difference.”

In Wales, there are a number of programmes run by local Minds to help support men specifically, including a dedicated men’s group in Haverfordwest and a cold-water swimming group in Llanelli called ‘Frozen Nutz’! You can find details for your nearest local Mind at www.Mind.org.uk/Local .

Mind Cymru also provides a safe space for anyone to talk about their mental health with advisors who are trained to listen, and help find specialist support if needed, through its dedicated Support Line on 0300 102 1234 (available 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday).