Toxic masculinity

 Toxic masculinity, this might be a phrase you’ve heard quite a bit recently but it’s not a new thing . The term was first heard in the 80s and 90s , probably during the money fuelled excess of that time , the ‘alpha male’ ,earning big , spending bigger , I’m in charge attitude 

But what does it really mean ? 

The term encompasses a lot , the ‘women belong in the kitchen’ misogyny, the sexist , racist and homophobic attitudes , drinking to excess , eating junk food , none of that vegetable stuff for ‘real men’.

Also ‘real men’ don’t bother going to see a doctor ‘I’m alright , I’m hard’ and dismiss women’s health issues as just ‘women’s stuff’ 

Aside from these worrying issues is the main point , toxic masculinity is stopping men from getting help with their mental health when they really need it , the notion that men don’t suffer from depression, they just need to ‘man up’ , that it’s ‘being gay’ to show any sign of weakness ,to ask for help from anyone . Men shouldn’t cry , they shouldn’t be vulnerable 

Male suicide rates are rising and suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 this is something we cannot ignore so toxic masculinity must be called out and men need to support other men , they need to talk to their wives , mothers , sisters , friends or seek professional help or we will lose many more men to mental illness Xx 

Samaritans 116 123

National Suicide Prevention helpline 

0800 689 0880

Rethink Mental Illness 0808 801 0525

Shout text 85258

Calm helpline 0800 58 58 58

Anxiety Uk 03444 775 774