Research reveals that 50% young men with anxiety report that their work performance, relationships and sex life have been affected, yet well over half of them are still not seeking help. This Men's Health Week, Kalms are encouraging men everywhere to face their fears and take a mind MOT to boost their mental wellbeing and seek support if necessary.
Thousands of men suffer from mental health issues daily, many in silence. According to Kalms survey[ii] among 500 male anxiety sufferers, young men in their twenties and thirties are most affected by the crippling impact of anxiety. As many as 70% of men surveyed say their anxiety has an impact on their work and relationships and 80% found it also affects their social life, with over half revealing it also impacted their sex life.
To some extent, anxiety can be useful as it cues us to important things in our lives that need attention. However, when anxiety becomes excessive and long-lasting it reflects a more serious issue and shouldn't be ignored. Anxiety can affect all areas of your life and can affect you focus, productivity and energy levels.
Obtaining help and support, can be especially difficult for men experiencing anxiety. Research shows men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women, with only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men[iii]. Many believe a potential contributor for this could be the toxic masculinity apparent in our society: men are often expected to be the breadwinners and to be strong, dominant and in control. While these aren't inherently bad things, these stereotypes can make it hard for men to reach out for help and open up.
To help those impacted by anxiety, the Kalms team have put together 5 practical steps to encourage men everywhere to reflect on their daily activities and give their minds an MOT:
1. Get physical - Physical activity can be a great way to work off the tense feelings that come with anxiety. Endorphins released during exercise can help you feel more relaxed and clear-headed. Make sure to start slow and be consistent if physical activity is not already part of your routine. If going for a 5-minute walk is all you have the energy to do, start there.
2. Journal to release your anxious thoughts - Taking time in your day, whether it's the first thing you do in the morning or you prefer to reflect before bedtime, noting down your feelings and inner thoughts can help you to get a hold of the causes and potential triggers of your anxiety. Journaling about your feelings is linked to decreased mental distress and be a great place to start when opening up and feeling more comfortable talking.
3. Practice deep breathing - A simple way to help your body relax, even when your mind and heart are racing, is to focus on your breath. Slow abdominal breathing, or deep breathing, activates the part of your nervous system that shuts down the fight-or-flight response. You can do this anytime, anywhere. Breathe deeply into your stomach and chest for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds. This technique is called 'box breathing' and will help to lower your heart rate and give you a moment to collect your thoughts.
4. Try incorporating a herbal remedy - Try a traditional herbal remedy, such as Kalms Lavender. Lavender oil has a long-standing association with relieving symptoms of mild anxiety. Over 15 clinical trials have shown that a daily capsule of uniquely prepared lavender oil, found only in Kalms Lavender, can relieve the symptoms of anxiety in just one to two weeks. Benefits are comparable to commonly used anti-anxiety medications without problems such as sedation, addiction, or interaction with other medications.
5. Talk about your difficulties with someone you trust - Often when we're anxious things can get blown out of proportion as we get stuck in negative thought loops. Talking with a friend can give you an outside perspective and a better sense of what might be going on, how to manage it and will help you to feel less alone.
Sharing mental health advice on social media is becoming increasingly common, but how can you be sure that what you're reading is accurate and safe?
To determine the accuracy of mental health information provided on social media, psychologists at Delamere have analysed TikTok posts to reveal what percentage is incorrect.
The research carried out by Delamere found that a shocking 61% of the information provided on TikTik about mental health is incorrect.
Despite having more than 10 million views, the TikTik video "Signs of high functioning anxiety' was only 50% accurate with a score of 20 out of 40. 'Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder' scored even lower, with a shocking score of just 13 out of the possible 40.
The research found that no videos advised viewers to seek further mental advice from their doctor and only three videos where created by a qualified or trusted creator.
Each TikTok video was scored on the following; contains 100% correct information, advice viewers to speak to a doctor, qualified and trusted creator and is sustainable for the audience.
What are the dangers of self-diagnosing on social media?
Dr Catherine Carney, Psychiatrist at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere;
"Many people turn to social media for health-related information, but despite how common this is amongst young adults, the significant downside is that self-diagnosis can be extremely hazardous and potentially threatening to your health.
It makes sense why more and more people are turning to social media for advice on their mental health as they can receive instant information regarding their troubling queries, instead of waiting for a doctors appointment or seeing a mental health specialist.
The issue with seeking advice on social media is that you could be provided with completely incorrect information which could end up becoming an added detriment to your health.
It can be tough to verify the sourced information found on social media, as anyone can share their opinions and methods of treatment without being a qualified or trusted creator - that's what makes this form of diagnosis so dangerous.
Health information on social media is often too general. Each person has a different family and health background which can contribute to the decision-making process a medical professional goes through when deciding on a proper diagnosis or treatment method. That's why it's important to speak to a doctor, as they will have knowledge about you and your medical history, which will make your experience less stressful and more accurate.
People often experience heightened feelings of stress when self-diagnosing online and on social media, they often assume the worst before speaking to a professional about their symptoms and condition, which puts patients at greater risk both physically and mentally.
There is also the added danger of self-medicating using products with negative side effects that won't treat your illness and in some cases even worsen it.
Social media is a great tool for finding open conversations about mental health and connecting with others who have experiences that resonate with you. But it's important that when using platforms such as TikTok you don't assume that someone who is displaying symptoms of a mental health disorder has the same diagnosis as you.
With mental health conditions, there are often overlapping symptoms that can be an indicator for a diagnosis, so approach content on social media with caution."
How to avoid self-diagnosing on social media
Speak to a professional - While it's hard to break the habit of self-diagnosing online, it's not healthy to continue. If you're finding it difficult to limit or stop the behaviour, it's important to speak to a mental health professional. Speaking to a specialist will help to ease feelings of anxiety and stress when your feelings are spiralling out of control.
Use trusted medical institutions - If you are seeking medical information or advice online make sure you are using the websites of trusted medical institutions such as the official NHS website. For the vast majority of medical concerns, there will be an established, trustworthy charitable organisation set up with a professional website that will answer most questions.
Find a distraction - When you have the urge to search your symptoms online or on social media, find something to distract yourself, you can go for a run, call a friend, watch some television, or do anything that will distract your mind.
Set a limit - Break from the habit of self-diagnosing by setting a limit on the time you spend watching and searching for mental health videos on social media. Set yourself a time limit, once you have reached it, stop searching and look for something alternative to do.
President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi have held phone conversations aimed at resolving the current impasse.
The encouraging development was revealed by the Chairperson of the Africa Union, Senegal President MackySall, on Monday, May 30, when he tweeted thanking both leaders for "our telephone conversations yesterday and today in the quest for a peaceful solution to the dispute" between the DR Congo and Rwanda.
Sall noted that he is encouraging Angolan President João Lourenço, who is the current Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) "to continue his mediation efforts in this direction."
A day earlier, on May 29, Sall called for dialogue betweenKigali and Kinshasa as tensions escalated between the two neighbours following the resurgence of the M23 rebellion in the DR Congo’s restive east.
Increasing tension between the DR Congo army (FARDC) and M23 rebels near the common border is threatening to drag Rwanda into the conflict.
The AU Chairperson's plea for dialogue came after, among others, recent cross-border shelling on Rwandan territory. On May 23, rockets from the Congolese side of the border, injured several people in at least two sectors in Musanze district, in Rwanda. The Congolese army and the terrorist FDLR militia, according to Kigali, also kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers who were patrolling along the common border. Kigalirequested DR Congo authorities to release the two Rwandan soldiers.
While in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, attending an extraordinary Summit on countering terrorism and unconstitutional change of government in Africa, Dr Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Saturday, May 28, appealed to the DR Congo to observe good neighborliness, own up to her problems, and avoid apportioning blame where none exists.
While responding to the “baseless accusations” made by Kinshasa against Rwanda, Dr Biruta said there are several initiatives in place to address the existing problems, but without political will, “we will remain in a vicious cycle of undesirable and destructive conflicts.”
In Malabo, Dr Biruta stressed that for close to 30 years now, there has been consistent collaboration between the FARDC and the Rwandan FDLR armed group based in eastern DRCongo.
It is deplorable that the FDLR, “which harbors a long-term sinister plan to destabilize Rwanda,” has been tolerated and preserved by the DR Congo, he said.
“Over the years, they have sanitized this genocidal armed group, to the extent that the FDLR are currently co-located, and fighting alongside the FARDC,” Dr Biruta said.
“Rwanda wishes to reiterate that the FDLR and its various splinter groups pose a serious security threat, not only to Rwanda, but to the entire region.”
The FDLR comprises remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. After killing more than one million people 28 years ago, they fled into eastern DR Congo.
ICGLR awaits verification mission report
On May 27, the ICGLR Secretariat expressed great concern about the attacks of the the ex-M23 rebels against the positions of the FARDC supported by MONUSCO in the territory of Rutshuru, North Kivu since the beginning of the week.
The bloc’s Secretariat strongly condemned the attacks and called on the ex-M23 rebels to comply with the Nairobi Declaration signed in December 2013 and to participate unconditionally in the political process initiated by the regional Conclave of Heads of State on the DR Congo in Nairobi, Kenya on April 21.
While condemning the existence of all armed groups operating in the eastern DR Congo, the Conference Secretariat “awaits the conclusions of the report of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) which deployed a Joint Verification Team (JVT) on the ground” since May 24, in order to refer the matter to the decision-making bodies of ICGLR.
Over the past weekend, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vincent Biruta, reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to the established regional initiatives, including the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism of the ICGLR and the Nairobi process under the EAC. The Nairobi Summit gave clear guidelines on how the issue of armed groups in eastern DRCongo can be resolved.
The first Summit, or conclave, was held on April 8, after Tshisekedi signed the Treaty of accession by his country to the EAC. During the second conclave, Presidents Tshisekedi, Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Kenyatta and YoweriMuseveni of Uganda, and Dr Biruta, agreed to the deployment of a regional force to contain armed groups in DR Congo.
Mid-way through the inter-Congolese dialogue, there were signs of optimism that the more than 30 Congolese armed groups participating were dedicated to finding a long-lasting solution.
But Kinshasa on Saturday said it considered the M23 as a terrorist movement that must be treated as such and is therefore excluded from the Nairobi peace process.
Biruta said the Kinshasa has shown lack of political will to abide by the Nairobi Summit resolutions holistically. Instead, he said, they have been engaging with these armed groups selectively and, have been quick to blame Rwanda, in order to ignore their obligations. By James Karuhanga, New Times
The leader of opposition in parliament (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga has called on a section of Ugandans questioning why his National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership has not joined the commodity prices protests, saying they have a duty themselves to rise up and not wait for NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi.
Rtd former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye who has since been remanded to Luzira prison recently kicked off protests to pressurise the government to arrest the fast-flying inflation.
This week, FDC women leaders including Kampala deputy mayor Doreen Nyanjura and Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke Ebaju and others staged another protest at Mulago roundabout demanding government intervention against the rising cost of living.
The FDC women were further remanded until next week when the court will determine their bail application. Amidst all these, some Ugandans have wondered why NUP, the largest opposition party in parliament, is silent over the issue.
“We issued the statement in parliament on behalf of our party relating to the running away of prices on essential goods. But the regime hasn’t considered anything. We asked them to cut on high taxes and to turn down their appetite for expenditure, but nothing has been considered,” Mpuuga told journalists at the NUP offices in Kamwokya Tuesday.
He said the government has left Ugandans to suffer, which should have compelled all Ugandans to rise up against the bad governance and stop questioning what opposition leaders are doing.
"Stop questioning why we have not joined. Don't wait for Kyagulanyi to do anything, do it yourself. Kyagulanyi is a leader, equally, you're a leader in your own capacity because you head a family that is constrained. We want to invite fellow citizens to be alive. It is a matter of time. If you want change tomorrow, you will have it tomorrow. I want to invite you to participate in every activity that will quicken the new Uganda. Citizens we want to invite you to participate. All of us have a duty and that duty must be played by everyone who feels affected, who feels offended by the going ons in the country," said Mpuuga.
Interestingly, a section of NUP supporters has called Besigye's protests an orchestrated 'diversion' by the state. Jolly Mugisha, the NUP vice president for western Uganda appealed to some Ugandans to stop saying that things are okay in western Uganda since the president comes from that part of the country.
“You know what is ironic in Uganda, most people think that everything is okay in western Uganda because the dictator comes from that side. I want to categorically say this, things are worse even in western Uganda. We’re dying alive,” Mugisha said.
She said people in western Uganda are not happy with the government's decision to construct roads in Congo and build schools in Tanzania, yet schools and roads in western Uganda are in a sorry state.
Speaking about the just concluded Omoro parliamentary by-elections, Mpuuga said the exercise was marred by violence, vote bribery, and the highest levels of criminality, orchestrated by the NRM regime.
“Omoro is a crime scene for the criminality that took place there. The young man who purportedly claims to have won is also a witness to that crime. Bribery, torture, brutalization of citizens, arrests, and results that were declared by a militia group was a sign of how bad we have gone as a country,” Mpuuga stated.
The Electoral Commission declared the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidate, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah the winner of the Omoro County parliamentary by-election with 14,224 votes defeating his closest NUP rival Simon Toolit Akecha. The seat fell vacant following the death of Ojok's father Jacob Oulanyah in March 2022. - URN/The Observer
A file photo of the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti. Image:EZEKIEL AMING'A
The man wants DCI boss George Kinoti to order the immediate restructuring of its social media platforms.
In Summary
•The DCI story suggested the woman was a member of the 'basmati babes' gang and the man was just another victim.
•"I enquired about how I ended up in the hospital and the nurses told me the police officers from Kenol police station brought me in," he added.
A senior policeman in Murang'a County wants the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to apologise for allegedly misinforming the public.
The officer said the DCI, through social media, called his wife names after they falsely accused her of spiking his drink.
On Monday, DCI wrote on its social media platforms that a man had been admitted to the hospital after a woman he was drinking with stupefied his drink. The woman was accused of unsuccessfully trying to empty the man's bank accounts before the bar waiter came to his rescue.
But it now turns out the woman and the man were married, and he just felt sick when they were out having some drinks.
"I take alcohol. My wife does not take alcohol. I was feeling unwell, but I was determined to take my wife out. But after taking several bottles, I felt weak and told my wife to drive me to hospital," he said.
According to the policeman, after regaining consciousness, his wife was nowhere to be found.
"I enquired about how I ended up in the hospital, and the nurses told me that police officers from Kenol police station brought me in," he added.
He was then shown the DCI Twitter timeline where the story had been published.
The tweet thread narrated how a man was fighting for his life at a hospital in Murang’a County after a drink he was taking was laced with an unknown substance by his lover, rendering him unconscious.
The DCI story suggested the woman was a member of the 'basmati babes' gang and the man was just another victim.
His wife, who was being detained, was later released after explaining that she was his wife. The police who arrested her also apologized for the incident.
The senior police officer now wants DCI boss George Kinoti to order the immediate restructuring of DCI's social media platforms.
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