This week I welcome my new co-host, Kev Stockbridge, for a deep, honest, and surprisingly uplifting conversation about Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, International Men’s Day, and the often-hidden issue of male loneliness , especially as men age.Kev brings his experience as a UK Mental Health First Aider, sharing shocking statistics, the roots of men’s silence, why loneliness hits men harder later in life, the crisis of male social isolation, and why so many men fall off a social cliff after retirement.From Movember moustaches to actionable support models, from suicide statistics to why men avoid support groups filled with women, this episode is equal parts enlightening, tender, funny, and necessary.Key TakeawysWhy November matters for men’s mental healthMovember: where it started and what it funds todaySuicide statistics and the shocking gender divideHow men and women differ in social connectionWhy loneliness skyrockets for men over 50The “A.L.E.C.” model anyone can use to support someoneWhy retirement is psychologically dangerous for menHow purpose protects mental healthThe rise of male-only support spaces (Men’s Shed, Andy’s Man Club)Creating social networks before retirementPractical, real-life ways to support the men in your lifeTimestamps01:57 – Why Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month matters03:11 – Suicide; methods & how they differ by age05:30 – Movember: the origin story (and the ridiculous moustaches)06:34 – What Movember funds today08:00 – The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 09:35 – International Men’s Day & this year’s theme11.34 – Why men die younger than women13.33 – The A.L.E.C. Model: Ask, Listen, Encourage, Check-in14:10 – What problems men bring to mental health first aiders15:50 – Loneliness: the hidden epidemic for older men16:35 – Social isolation vs loneliness (they’re not the same)18:00 – 911,000 men over 50 live alone, rising to 1.5 million by 203020:55 – Why men struggle socially after 5022:17 – Why men avoid support groups run mostly by women22:45 – Men’s Shed, Andy’s Man Club & male-only spaces24:50 – Kev’s personal retirement plans (and my opinion)29:12 – The importance of purpose, routine & brain stimulation after retirement30:36 – Men need reasons to meet up, not just “a chat”31:10 – Being kind, checking in, and supporting the men around youhttps://uk.movember.comhttps://internationalmensday.comhttps://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/https://menssheds.org.ukhttps://andysmanclub.co.uk Our sponsorhttps://sallyrule.com/
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