Health And Wellbeing For Men

Fewer men than women are diagnosed with depression and treated for depression related disorders and other common mental health problems. This is partly due to the real prevalence of depression being lower in men, which is thought to relate to biological differences between the sexes. However, there is also the compounding challenge of men not seeking help for psychological issues, delaying engagement with therapeutic services until problems deteriorate and being diagnosed with other conditions (e.g. psychosomatic) - that is, depression is hidden or masked by men and is, therefore, under diagnosed. In addition, health professionals and significant others may not recognize mental health issues in men and may not recommend mental health services when they do. It is important to note that gender norms intersect with wider social change and challenges, including economic hardship, limited mental health service provision, racism and discrimination against marginalised groups of men. Although rates of depression are 50% higher in women than men, suicide rates are approximately three times higher in men than in women and are linked to traditional masculinity factors (e.g. limited emotional disclosure and help-seeking) that are disproportionately experienced by specific groups of men(e.g. gay men, rural men, divorced men, and unemployed or indebted (i.e. who feel they have failed in the traditional breadwinner role) men)

This book provides a concise overview of the latest controversies and advances in men’s health. It covers the male anatomy, physiology, and the metabolic syndromes that most commonly affect males. A range of benign and malignant conditions affecting the prostate, testes, rectum and colon are detailed. Chapters feature an easy-to-follow format and feature learning objectives to highlight the key concepts in each chapter aiding the reader to develop a thorough understanding of fundamental aspects in men’s health. Men’s Health and Wellbeing features insightful reviews of controversies and recent developments in men’s health, and is a valuable resource for all trainee and practicing medical professionals who treat these patients.

Effects of Lifestyle on Men’s Health provides an evidence-based review of the effects of modifiable risk factors such as sleep, diet, stress and exercise on various elements of men’s health, notably sexual function, urinary function and cancer prevention and detection. Content highlights the most up-to-date basic and clinical information available, along with future research directions. Each chapter provides an easy to reference bullet point style summary to highlight the salient take-home messages from each section. Researchers and clinicians alike can use this book as a reference point for all matters related to lifestyle and men’s health. Offers an evidence-based review of the associations between modifiable risk factors (diet, lifestyle, sleep, environment and exercise) and men’s health Delivers examples of how changes to risk factors improve overall health Provides insight into what the future of men’s health holds in terms of basic and clinical research

"Though accessible in style, this book is not an easy read. Chapters brim with information and analysis. A lesser author could have written an entire book from the information Robertson squeezes into a single chapter. So insightful is his analysis that he leaves the mind racing with thoughts and ideas." Nursing Standard "Men's health texts are hard to find - delighted this text addresses issues like access to health services." Margaret McLoone, Sligo Institute of Technology, Ireland "Steve Robertson has written a valuable book that will serve as an excellent introduction to social science perspectives on the links between masculinities and men’s health … The book is clearly written and the coverage of existing literature is excellent. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all those wishing to extend their understanding of masculinities and health." Professor Lesley Doyal, Journal of Men's Health How do men understand ‘health’? What do men consider to be the role of health services in helping them stay well? What inhibits or facilitates men’s engagement with health services? Notions about men’s health are wide ranging and much is said about the role masculinity plays in creating health outcomes for men. Based on empirical research and data, this book provides an interdisciplinary exploration of the links between men, health policy, gender and masculinity. It also offers explicit guidance for practice for those working in the health field looking to better understand and improve men’s health. Importantly the book: Incorporates the views of disabled and gay men to highlight issues of diversity Draws out key implications for health promotion work with men Includes ‘key points for practice’ within each chapter The book uses interviews with men and health professionals, to explore the key aspects of men’s health and healthcare delivery. Although set within the UK context, it also has wider resonance as it considers how men conceptualize health, how this becomes embodied, the importance of relationships and emotions in men’s preventative health practices, and the socially contingent nature of men’s engagement with preventative health care services. Understanding Men and Health will be of particular interest to academics, students and researchers in nursing, health, sociology and gender studies as well as to pre- registration and post-registration health professionals with an interest in men and health.

Mental health has always been a low priority worldwide. Yet more than 650 million people are estimated to meet diagnostic criteria for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, with almost three-quarters of that burden in low- and middle-income countries. Nowhere in the world does mental health enjoy parity with physical health. Notwithstanding astonishing medical advancements in treatments for physical illnesses, mental disorder continues to have a startlingly high mortality rate. However, despite its widespread neglect, there is now an emerging international imperative to improve global mental health and wellbeing. The UN’s current international development agenda finalised at the end of 2015 contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. Although much broader in focus than the previous eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the need for worldwide improvement in mental health has finally been recognised. This Handbook addresses the new UN agenda in the context of mental health and sustainable development, examining its implications for national and international policy-makers, decision-makers, researchers and funding agencies. Conceptual, evidence-based and practical discussions crossing a range of disciplines are presented from the world’s leading mental health experts. Together, they explore why a commitment to investing in mental health for the fulfilment of SDG3 ought to be an absolute global priority.

A groundbreaking book that examines all aspects of male aging through an evolutionary lens While the health of aging men has been a focus of biomedical research for years, evolutionary biology has not been part of the conversation—until now. How Men Age is the first book to explore how natural selection has shaped male aging, how evolutionary theory can inform our understanding of male health and well-being, and how older men may have contributed to the evolution of some of the very traits that make us human. In this informative and entertaining book, renowned biological anthropologist Richard Bribiescas looks at all aspects of male aging through an evolutionary lens. He describes how the challenges males faced in their evolutionary past influenced how they age today, and shows how this unique evolutionary history helps explain common aspects of male aging such as prostate disease, loss of muscle mass, changes in testosterone levels, increases in fat, erectile dysfunction, baldness, and shorter life spans than women. Bribiescas reveals how many of the physical and behavioral changes that we negatively associate with male aging may have actually facilitated the emergence of positive traits that have helped make humans so successful as a species, including parenting, long life spans, and high fertility. Popular science at its most compelling, How Men Age provides new perspectives on the aging process in men and how we became human, and also explores future challenges for human evolution—and the important role older men might play in them.

A welcome and important contribution to a thankfully growing debate. Mental illness remains in some ways the last great taboo in our society, a taboo which leads directly to stigma and discrimination which for some can be even worse than the symptoms of their illness. This book in part is about encouraging men who have reached crisis point to seek help. Equally it's about prevention, and sets out some of the excellent work being done on that. I hope it can inspire practitioners and policy makers to initiate similar interventions, develop new ones and lift the promotion of men's mental health much higher up the agenda, both in the UK and abroad.A" - From the Foreword by Alastair Campbell Men - in all their diverse groups, settings, lifestyles and stages of life - can face considerable challenges to their mental wellbeing from specific cultural and societal factors, causing difficulties for themselves and those who live and work with them. In addition, these men may respond better to certain approaches and treatment. Promoting Men's Mental Health outlines the breadth of the challenges and provides guidance for those working in primary care on targeting and helping men who need support. Good mental health is more than the absence of mental illness, and this book therefore highlights methods to promote positive mental health by increasing psychological wellbeing, competency and coping skills, and by creating supportive living and working environments The book highlights examples of best practice throughout the UK, Europe and America, and will be essential reading for primary care and mental health professionals, and all those with an interest in men's mental health. 'We need to be more innovative in the way we try to reach men. This book will help stimulate further discussion and hopefully encourage men to seek help or support.' From the Foreword by Louis Appleby

This comprehensive book addresses men’s health and wellness in the context of the male psyche, provides up to date research on men’s health, discusses theoretical frameworks, shares perspectives from men and lists consumer resources and tools. Men’s Health explores social, cultural, physical and psychological approaches to men’s health with sections focusing on the psycho-social issues, the body, relationships, healthy living and aging, while taking into account cultural differences. Each chapter: provides a review of the current science and emerging research of the topic; outlines theoretical frameworks, best practices and recommendations for advancing men’s health through service delivery, research, education, policy and advocacy; features a personal assessment tool on the topic; and includes vignettes from men, their friends and families, and care providers. Suitable for students taking undergraduate courses on men’s health and wellness, this broad-ranging textbook is the ideal introduction to the topic.