Download document: Out of sight, out of mind: Why less well-off middle-aged men don't get the support they need (April 2020)
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Speaking directly with less well off middle aged men, we found out what they need from support services when they're struggling
Moving beyond what we know about the risk factors for this group, our report Out of sight, out of mind: Why less well-off, middle-aged men don’t get the support they need focused on the lived experience of men
Our approach
Through in-depth ethnographic interviews with 16 less well-off middle aged men across the UK and Ireland, we spoke about the challenges they faced and the events which lead them to crisis point.
Crucially, we also explored what these men told us worked for them when they came into contact with with support services.
What did we find?
The men we spoke to had been struggling for years with poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Despite experiencing many well-known risk factors for this group, many opportunities to help them at critical points before they reached crisis were missed.
Importantly, the men we spoke to didn't see community-based support services, focused on fostering connection and community, as relevant to them before they reached crisis
There exists a vacuum of responsibility in which opportunities to engage and support these men, before they hit crisis point, were neglected.
Samaritans report, 'Out of sight, out of mind: Why less well-off, middle-aged men don’t get the support they need'
What did the men tell us they wanted from services?
The men we spoke to were clear about what they wanted from support services. Among other things, the following were all key:
- The opportunity to make a contribution
- A feeling of inclusivity
- The chance to work towards common goals
- Peer support and feeling like they had shared experience with other people
Jack told us being responsible for collecting subs and opening his local group has “made me feel good that someone relied on me, trusted me, and I’m not a waste of space.”
Samaritans report, 'Out of sight, out of mind: Why less well-off, middle-aged men don’t get the support they need'