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Description

A review of the available research highlighted very little evidence on effective approaches to health promotion in young men. It was needed to know more about why men find it difficult to talk about their problems, why they are more resistant than the general population to health promotion messages, and why they are reluctant to seek help when in distress. That is why the National Institute for Mental in England funded three pilot projects to encourage young men to seek help earlier, develop or encourage emotional literacy amongst young men and to identify barriers that may discourage young men from seeking help.

Each pilot project, in developing and delivering a mental health promotion programme, identified some common themes and issues but they have addressed these in different ways. This report outlines the structure and aims of the three pilot projects, the components of the projects and the evidence of  effectiveness of the measures adopted, and sets out key lessons and policy implications for the future.

Although the suicide rate amongst young men is showing a welcome decline, the rate is much higher than in the general population. We need to build on the knowledge and experience gained through these pilot projects to help practitioners and  other partners to develop effective approaches to engaging with young men. Commissioners of services are urged to use the good learning from the pilots to they develop their own programmes of work to engage more effectively with, and in delivering appropriate services for, young men.

Publisher

Department of Health

Author

National Institute for Mental Health in England

Date of Publication

June 2006

File Type

PDF

File Size

0.44MB

No. of Pages

4