Services continue to be built around men coming forward, even though the report shows many simply do not

In a dimly lit room of a community center in Liverpool, a group of men in their twenties sit in uncomfortable silence, each clutching a cup of cold tea. They are here not to exchange pleasantries but to seek help—a courageous step that most of them have delayed for far too long. This scene is emblematic of a troubling new reality revealed by the recently published national review, Men’s health: a strategic vision for England, which highlights a pervasive disconnect between men’s actual health needs and their engagement with health services.

The Stark Findings of the Report

The report, which draws on over 6,500 submissions, paints a striking picture of men’s reluctance to seek help until their conditions have deteriorated significantly. A staggering more than half of respondents admitted to avoiding health services altogether, highlighting a troubling trend that clinicians are increasingly addressing.

Key findings include:

• Cancer emerged as a leading concern, with 56% prioritizing it over other health issues.
• Mental health concerns were close behind, with 46% expressing direct frustrations over accessing care.
• Many identified a need for better screening and early intervention, with almost a quarter emphasizing clearer pathways to care.

What is particularly alarming is the demographic skew observed in the submissions. Most respondents were older men—79% were aged between 45 and 84, with a mere 6% under 35. Compounding this issue, nearly all identified as white, suggesting that those suffering most—particularly young men—remain largely unheard and unrepresented in this analysis.

Critical Voices on Representation

Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, an NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience, emphasizes the crucial imbalance in the data. “The strategy reveals patterns among men who chose to engage, but younger men, those at highest risk for suicide and untreated mental health issues, are almost invisible,” he explains. “When over half of men express reluctance to seek help, we must also consider those who never even register in the system.”

Barriers to Seeking Help

The report details familiar yet pressing barriers that hinder men from accessing healthcare, including:

• Difficulty in securing appointments and long waiting lists.
• Confusion about navigating healthcare services.
• Discomfort discussing mental health issues with healthcare professionals.

“The traditional structures of care just don’t work for everyone,” Dr. Garcha argues. “The current model relies heavily on men stepping forward for care—an approach that overlooks the hesitations many face.”

Innovative Approaches: A Pilot Program

In response to these challenges, the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust piloted an at-home depression treatment pathway using Flow’s transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device. The pilot caters especially to those uncomfortable with conventional treatment options.

Feedback from clinicians was notably positive, reporting a remarkable two-thirds drop in suicidal thoughts and improved engagement from men who had historically avoided treatment. This raises an important question: Could home-based, flexible treatment models provide the answer to a demographic that continues to resist seeking care?

The Path Forward

The national men’s health strategy is set to evolve through 2026, with ongoing research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) focusing on groups that have historically been underrepresented. For healthcare providers, the upcoming phases are crucial.

Dr. Garcha contends, “To truly prevent men from reaching a crisis point, we need to radically rethink how we provide support. This includes offering safe, non-drug options, simplifying treatment pathways, and allowing men to access help as soon as they feel ready.” He stresses that evidence already exists indicating these approaches can work, urging policymakers to reconsider their strategies.

Ultimately, for the government’s vision to translate into meaningful change, those men who remain silent must become focal points in the solutions posed. The time to listen to the quieter voices in this dialogue is now.

Source: www.atvtoday.co.uk