Neil Hamilton, MS for Mid & West Wales and Leader of UKIP Wales, is backing calls to encourage more men to talk about their mental health.

Mr Hamilton, a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs committee, is supporting Time to Change Wales as it launches its award winning campaign, ‘Talking is a Lifeline’.

He said:“I am pleased to help raise awareness for this extremely important issue. I welcome this year’s focus on tackling the stigma of talking about mental health, particularly among men in Wales. Men are notoriously bad about coming forward to seek help with emotional and mental issues

“In these challenging times many are feeling the stresses and strains caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It is absolutely vital that help is available for those who are struggling.

“It is essential that support is there for those who are trying to come to terms with what has happened, both throughout the country and to their own lives, since March.

“Covid–19 has put tremendous pressure on us all and those who have been particularly badly affected financially need to hear and learn what steps are being taken to help them.

“The campaign comes at a time when it is needed more than ever and I would urge men, in particular, to just talk to someone without delay.”

November is men’s health month and Time to Change Wales has launched the #TalkingIsALifeline campaign, as part of raising awareness around tackling stigma, particularly amongst men in Wales.

The campaign which runs throughout the month aims to encourage men to talk about their mental health without the fear of being judged. Talking is a Lifeline emphasises that talking about mental health might be one of the bravest things a man can do. 

 Research conducted by Time to Change Wales in 2018, found that self-stigma and a lack of understanding of mental health stops many men from talking to family and friends about their mental health problems because of fear and anxiety about negative consequences.

Latest research on public attitudes to mental illness in Wales commissioned by Time to Change Wales included a question on knowing someone with a mental health problem. This found that just 29% of men report that they know someone with a mental health problem, and that men are less likely to feel comfortable discussing their own mental health with friends or family.

Many men have told Time to Change Wales that the pressure to ‘man up’ and ‘be strong’ has led to them suffering in silence.

For more information or to share your stories go to [email protected]. Join the conversation at #TalkingIsALifeline.