The role of social stigma in male suicide: implications for health and social care in the UK

Abstract

In the UK, male suicide rates and social stigma pose a serious public health concern. The significant effects of social stigma on male suicide rates are examined in this review, which also looks at how cultural norms and societal attitudes lead to men's mental health concerns being underreported and neglected. A major global health and social care concern, mental health is frequently impacted by several stressors, including poverty, violence, disability, prior trauma, societal injustices, and a host of other issues. Even while intervention can effectively treat many mental health issues, a sizable fraction goes untreated, and in certain circumstances, mental health can worsen to the point of suicide. Three-quarters of all suicide fatalities in the UK in 2022 were male, and this trend has not changed since the mid-1990s. This concerning figure emphasises how suicide disproportionately affects men, a problem that is made worse by the widespread stigma associated with mental health, especially among men. Men's unwillingness to ask for assistance or publicly talk about their difficulties is made worse by cultural standards of masculinity, which frequently encourage emotional stoicism and independence. This paper critically looks at how stigma contributes to these difficulties, concentrating on the obstacles men encounter while trying to get mental health treatment. Literature illustrates how social pressures, and a dearth of suitable support networks can cause despondency and feelings of loneliness. The analysis also explores the implications for UK health and social care systems, highlighting the need for specialised interventions that tackle the difficulties men encounter when seeking mental health care. With implications for policy, healthcare delivery, and wider cultural change, this work advocates for a comprehensive strategy to lessen stigma and enhance mental health assistance for men. It promotes better mental health education, more awareness, and the creation of resources that are accessible and sensitive to the needs of this vulnerable group of males.