Men's Health Week 2018

8th June 2018 • My Family Our Needs

Monday 11th June kicks off Men’s Health Week 2018, a national awareness week focusing on men’s health up and down the country. Here at My Family, Our Needs we got to thinking about what the awareness week could mean to our community here.

We have got to know some amazing Mums through our Real Life section who have been kind enough to share their stories and, hopefully, make connections of their own and forge friendships with other parents. These Mums have prompted us to cover certain topics that might help others and even inspired us to establish the BAPS Awards.

We hope to grow that community until we become an army who can take over the world (did you know that was the plan ladies?!) but we also don’t want to shut out the Dads.
Raising a family with additional needs affects both Mums and Dads and My Family, Our Needs would like to get the conversation started with men about their mental health when it comes to family life.

Supporting men’s mental health

We have teamed up with Marc Carter, who you may remember from BBC news appearances where he campaigned to find a #CupforBen – an identical cup that his autistic son Ben could drink from. Marc is passionate about discussing mental health and hopes to reach out to other men who may have mental health needs but don’t feel they can talk about it. Marc also hopes to include women in the conversation so they can spot the signs that their partners or relatives may be struggling.

Next week is a big week for Marc, as well as Men’s Health Week it is also Carers Week, so as a male carer and a Dad to three children, he’s going to have a lot to say. We will start the awareness week with a live Twitter discussion with Marc, beginning at 8pm. Using the hash tag #DontForgetDads, we want you to come and join the conversation. Whether you are a Dad who wants to ask Marc a question about his mental health journey or a Mum who wants to show some appreciation for their partner, we would love to hear from you on the night.

If you want to read a bit more about Marc before his live Twitter chat, you can find his blog here. Please come and join us @weareMFON and don’t forget to use the hash tag!