MOT time for Men’s Health Week 13 -19 June 2022

The Highland Council is supporting Men’s Health Week 13-19 June 2022. The national message from Men’s Health Forum is a simple one: it's time for your MOT.

Men across Highland are encouraged to prioritise their physical and mental health by carrying out their own men’s health MOT.

The pandemic may have meant that you have put off attending health checks or have not been prioritising your own health and wellbeing, so this week’s Men’s Health Week is set as a reminder to look out for yourself.

Men’s Health Forum suggest steps to take to carry out your men’s MOT:

• Take notice of what's going on in your body and mind.
• Do the Forum's quick and easy DIY Man MOT (external link)
• Get an NHS Health Check
• Go and see your GP or use NHS 111 if you're concerned about any symptoms
• Encourage men to give themselves regular MOT checks

Suicide rates in males in Highland are higher than elsewhere in Scotland, latest statistics from the National Records of Scotland, men accounted for 71 percent of suicides in Scotland in 2020. It is vitally important that across Highland, awareness is raised on the importance of both the professional and personal interventions available to help improve overall health and wellbeing.

The following tips may help:

• Support Groups - These work on the principle that it can be useful to meet, talk and exchange experiences with other people. It can help to break down feelings and find out how other people have been affected and how they have coped.
• Exercise - It is important to stay fit and healthy and to take plenty of exercise. Exercise releases endorphins which naturally increases the positive mood states in the body.
• Diet – A well-balanced diet helps to provide the right vitamins and minerals and prevent that sluggish feeling from an unhealthy diet.
• Routine - A routine can help provide some structure and framework to your life.

Highland Community Planning Partnership has a dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery group which signposts individuals and communities to trusted sources of support for mental health and wellbeing including where to get help in a crisis; resources and weblinks to support our mental wellbeing; and learning tools to build skills and confidence in having conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. There is a ‘Prevent Suicide’ Highland app which allows users to complete a ‘Prevent Suicide’ safety plan and can be completed with the help of a trained listener or with a friend or family member.

To download the Prevent Suicide Highland app click here (external link)

If you, or someone you know needs support in relation to suicide, you can also call Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.