Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

The Real Face of Men's Health report is a major report that was commissioned by the Movember Institute of Men's Health. We are all aware, especially after Covid, how disconnected and lonely many people can feel. Too often, men struggle in silence. They are less inclined to open up about their problems. The term "toxic masculinity" has been used as a catch-all explanation for young men's frustration and isolation. This label is too simplistic. Beneath the surface, many men are wrestling with a profound absence of belonging, identity and purpose. This report lays out the stark reality of men's physical and emotional health, particularly those of young farmers. I know young men who have battled mental health difficulties and who felt they had nowhere to turn or no one to open up to.

Even healthcare professionals feel unequipped. Nearly one quarter of the GPs surveyed shared that they were not confident treating men presenting with suicidal behaviour. In this regard, they cited a lack of crisis services, poor access to mental supports and the difficulty in getting honest communication from male patients. We have positive examples of how to tackle these issues. What we are missing is the investment to grow and expand the services that are required. Initiatives such as the men's sheds show how vital community spaces can provide men with a space to connect with one another. Out-of-hours crisis supports like the Solace Café could play the same role and offer immediate help when men most need it. People with lived experience of suicidal ideation have spoken at length about how just knowing they had a place to go made a critical difference in their lives.

Men are at a higher risk of premature death than women. What is shocking is how men in Traveller communities face significantly higher rates of premature death. The All Ireland Traveller Health Study was published in 2010. As a result, the data relating to this matter is 15 years old. This significantly limits our understanding of more recent trends and data. Without a clearer picture, we cannot target supports where they are most needed. I urge the Government to follow through on a previous commitment to the national men's health policy in 2009 and allocate an initial €10 million in the upcoming budget. We need to know if they ask for help there will be real accessible supports for them.