David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is leading the way for men’s mental fitness with his behaviour change campaign, investment programme, and Movember partnership.
30 participants from across York and North Yorkshire will take part in the ‘Men in Mind’ pilot programme. A training programme designed to help professionals better engage with men to support their mental health.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said,
“Movember are known across the world for their life saving work, tackling the crisis that is too many men dying too young.
“In Australia, Men in Mind has enhanced health and wellbeing outcomes for countless men by improving the way mental health professionals engage with men.
“I’m incredibly proud that Movember are bringing this lifesaving programme to York and North Yorkshire. Because when men are healthier, communities are wealthier.”
Ben Rogers, Director of Health Professional Education at Movember said,
“We’re proud to be part of the Mayor’s Men’s Health Taskforce and to pilot Men in Mind across York and North Yorkshire. The UK has a fantastic opportunity to be a global leader in men’s health through the Men’s Health Strategy for England, but lasting change will rely on strong local leadership”.
He continued, “Many men disengage from mental health services early or face barriers to accessing support. Equipping clinicians with the knowledge and skills to effectively support men when they seek help is essential to improving mental health outcomes. Men in Mind was made possible by the support of the Movember community, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this important pilot.”
This innovative training follows the announcement of ‘Shift Your Focus’, a behaviour change campaign to highlight every day, actionable steps that men and their support systems can take to help improve their mental fitness. This might be as simple as mixing it up and trying something new or getting up and being active.
The Mayor also launched a Men’s Mental Health investment fund which aims to support interventions that help create a more mentally fit York and North Yorkshire. The funding will look to tackle stigma through male friendly engagement, support men in the workplace with their mental health and reach diverse or hard to reach audiences.
This work forms part of the Mayor’s ‘Moving Forward’ campaign to create healthy and thriving communities. Supporting men’s mental wellbeing can reduce avoidable service demand, improve labour market outcomes, and support more resilient local economies. When men are mentally well, families are stronger, children do better, and communities thrive.
