International Men’s Day: family law and men’s mental health
The UK celebrated International Men’s Day over the weekend – the theme this year was ‘helping men and boys’. International Men’s Day is a chance to celebrate the contributions that men make to families and society as a whole, promote positive male role models and promote gender equality but is also an opportunity to highlight men’s health and wellbeing.
Whether your dad, granddad, brother, uncle, cousin, or family friend, men play a big part in our lives and the lives of those around us. However men often face their own set of unique challenges including overcoming narrow definitions of masculinity and dealing with corresponding mental health issues. Sadly such matters can often be overlooked. Last year it was recorded that 85% of people sleeping on the streets were men, the male suicide rate was three times higher than women in 2021, and one in three victims of domestic violence were men. This is in addition to the statistic that one in six to seven men will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
Life-changing events such as divorce can see male mental health fall into a downward spiral. Common reactions at the breakdown of a family unit include stress and anxiety, isolation, depression, and substance abuse. The stress of uncertainty, physical and psychological abuse, and societal expectations around expressing emotion all play their part in men’s mental health struggles.
There is no doubt that separation, divorce and family law proceedings can be a stressful time; however, there are lots of organisations that can provide much needed support to those experiencing major life events. The family team at BDB Pitmans is on hand to help should you require any specific legal assistance including non-molestation orders, occupation orders or support for Court proceedings. If you should you find yourself in a difficult family situation please do reach out so we can discuss your options and find a path forwards.