Focus on male mental health in coastal towns

A public health team is focusing on male mental health in seaside towns.

Health workers in East Sussex are holding regular sessions where men are encouraged to discuss their problems.

The campaign is focusing specifically on men living in Hastings and St Leonards following a report in 2021 by the chief medical officer which put the spotlight on mental health in coastal communities.

The suicide rate among men aged 30-59 in the county has been higher than the England average for "a number of years", the public health team said.

Darrell Gale, director of public health i n East Sussex, said that living in a coastal town like Hastings made it more likely for people to feel "very isolated, to be very lonely" .

A report compiled by the body recognised that deteriorating mental health in men not only has a personal impact but also has a "massive knock on for their employability, and for the economy of the town".

Travis Mains-Marten, a recovering alcoholic and someone who has lived with depression, said " we cannot shy away from this".

"The simplest way to connect is through open and honest conversation," he said, adding that when men are speaking to other men they need to make it clear that it is "ok to not be ok".

Events arranged in East Sussex saw local men meet to discuss a range of topics, including healthy masculinity and connecting with nature.

They learned new skills and were involved in different activities to exercise and improve their mental health.

A screening was also held in the town of a documentary called Men Don't Talk, which shows local men sharing their stories about their own mental health and wellbeing.