Men's Health Forum helps male staff dig deep to discuss mental health and wellbeing

Male staff are digging deep in more ways than one to break the stigma on mental health.

A group set up specifically for Swansea Bay University Health Board’s male workforce is looking at different ways of breaking down the barriers of conversations around mental health.

The Men’s Health Forum visited the Cae Felin Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project to combine wellbeing and physical exercise.

The group’s members gave up their time to plant trees and help with general maintenance on land which is owned by the health board and has biodiversity benefits along with being a natural habitat for wildlife and nature.

PICTURED: Members helped plant flowers at Cae Felin.

The opportunity to be outdoors engaging in physical activity gives men an opportunity to open up about any worries they may have.

Mathew Tidball, Allied Health Professionals Lead within the Occupational Health and Staff Wellbeing, has helped set up the Men’s Health Forum.

Mathew said: “It is evident that there is an ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and wellbeing of men.

“As a result, during January 2024 we launched a dedicated employee Men’s Health Forum. This work follows the successful introduction of Menopause sessions and cafes during recent years. 

“Mental health conversations appear particularly challenging for men to have. Historically, men tend to deal with their emotions themselves and do not seek outside help and support.

“This forum aims to ensure that men are not excluded from health conversations with an emphasis on reaching out for help being seen as a sign of strength instead of weakness. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage men to be more aware of the particular health issues that affect them and provide space for education, discussion and support.

“We know that ‘early identification/intervention’ is important for patients and we want to support staff to adopt the same approach towards their health so that it becomes more normal for men to discuss the issues that affect their health and wellbeing.  

“To date we have held a number of webinars and support group sessions, however, we have decided to adopt a new approach with our visit to Cae Felin.

PICTURED: Marcus Dellibovi (centre) rakes stones to make the path around Cae Felin more accessible.

“Evidence suggests that males are more likely to open up when they are doing something – the CSA has many opportunities like that as there’s lots to do, such as planting, harvesting, carrying timber or building something.”

Marcus Dellibovi is an Occupational Therapist Technician within the Assessment and Home Treatment Team.

He has worked for the health board for the past three years and has been part of the Men’s Health Forum since its inception.

Marcus was part of the group who visited Cae Felin. He said: “Healthcare can be stressful with the busy workloads and responsibilities, so the men’s health forum is an excellent opportunity to not only help yourself but others too.

“In occupational therapy we are always trying to get people engaged with meaningful activities, so to get involved in it myself has been a big benefit. Men definitely open up more when they are doing something physical, so visiting the CSA has been a real success.

“The forum is still in its infancy, and we’ve had a few digital meet ups, but this was far better in terms of being able to open up if you feel you want to. There has been a few events which have been based around training, which made people aware that there is help out there. This had a very different approach as it was in person and we were doing something physical.”