Male mental health session
The 2019 statutory guidance on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education highlights that pupils should know that mental well-being is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health. It highlights that emphasis should be given to steps pupils can take to protect and support their own health and well-being, and that pupils should know how to talk about their emotions accurately and sensitively, using appropriate vocabulary. The guidance highlights that effective teaching should aim to reduce stigma attached to health issues, in particular those to do with mental well-being.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) published findings from a 2014 survey which highlighted that whilst more men are seeking counselling, numbers are still low compared to women, and that evidence suggests men will not seek counselling unless it is for a serious mental health problem.
This, along with the fact that the biggest killer of males under 45 is suicide, highlights the need for a specialist approach which tackles gender myths and stereotypes, and addresses barriers for boys in dealing with mental issues and asking for help.
This 50 – 60 minute session aims to:
- Increase boy’s awareness of the grooming and sexual exploitation of boys
- Increase boy’s ability to recognise the grooming warning signs
- Increase boy’s ability to recognise unsafe relationships
Covering :
-
-
- Ideas, perceptions and beliefs about what it means to be a boy
- Healthy and unhealthy masculinity
- Societal conditioning of males
- Understanding the boy brain
- The pros and cons of asking for help and engaging with support
- Myths related to gender stereotypes and masculinity
- Where and how to access support
-