From a mind MOT to spreading the feelgood factor through helping others – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will be offering a wealth of information and support to its male staff this Men’s Health Week.

Kicking off on Monday 14 June, Men’s Health Week raises awareness of the health issues that affect men disproportionately and focuses on getting them to become more aware of health problems they may have or could develop; gaining the courage to do something about it.

Ahmed Bhula, who is part of the Trust’s health and wellbeing team, said: “The focus for 2021 is Mental Health in a COVID-19 World.

“Did you know that whatever your age or fitness levels, men have been shown to be at a higher risk of COVID-19? In fact, if you live with a woman of the same age, you are, on average, twice as likely to die of COVID-19 as she is.

“That is a sobering thought but it does give us an opportunity to explore men’s health, encourage some open and honest conversations and look at the support available.

“Men traditionally shy away from discussing such topics and we want to change that.”

Our Trust Non-Executive Directors Ben Diamond and Junior Hemans have started the conversation on this important topic. Watch their video here.

What can I do to support Men’s Health Week?

There are lots of things you can do to raise awareness and support yourself during Men’s Health Week as well as do a good turn for others.

Men’s Health Forum is doing a CAN DO Challenge which is a great way to boost your mental wellbeing while supporting our local trust charity Well Wishers (donate here).

The five ways to wellbeing are five things we can all do that are scientifically-proven to help us feel better. For the CAN DO Challenge, we’re calling on everyone to choose a different way to wellbeing to try each day of Men’s Health Week while fundraising.​

The five ways are:

• Connect – connect with other people (e.g. call an old friend you haven’t since before lockdown) #connectmonday
• (Be) Active – move your body (e.g. go for a run/walk/swim/dance/etc.) #activetuesday
• Notice – take notice of the environment around you (e.g. turn off your phone for an hour) #noticewednesday
• Discover – learn something new (e.g. read a book you haven’t read before) #discoverthursday
• Offer (or give) – do something for someone else (e.g. volunteer for a local community group) #offerfriday

Read more about the Five Ways to Wellbeing or find out about the Man MOT for the Mind manual, based on the five ways. Or get started now.

To find out more and see what support is available for men please click here.