UK & World News
- 20 September 2012, 8:46
Suicides In Middle-Aged Men Hit Record Numbers
Middle-aged men are committing suicide in record numbers because they feel they cannot live up to society's expectations, a new report has warned.
The Samaritans said national statistics show 3,000 men in their 30s, 40s and 50s commit suicide each year, with men from deprived areas 10 times more likely to take their own lives than those from better-off backgrounds.
The suicide helpline charity commissioned a panel of psychologists and sociologists to carry out the most in-depth ever analysis into why the men are at such risk.
And the experts concluded that men feel shame when they fall short of what they see is a "gold standard" of masculinity.
Professor Stephen Platt, report author and health policy researcher at the University of Edinburgh, said middle-aged men are the "buffer generation", caught between their strong, silent fathers and more carefree sons.
And the changing labour market has destroyed their masculine identity.
He told Sky News: "The decline of heavy industry and manufacturing jobs has left a lot of men in a position where they don't feel the jobs on offer - particularly service jobs - are ones they feel comfortable with.
"They feel there is a set of expectations about how to behave. And the role of women in the workplace is very different in those service industries compared to the old manufacturing jobs."
The report also warned that men have less social support than women, and are more likely to suffer in silence when relationships break down.
Former England rugby hooker Brian Moore, who had counselling for personal trauma, backed The Samaritans' campaign to reach out to middle-aged men.
David Sidwell turned to the Samaritans after suffering a breakdown, losing his job and breaking up with his girlfriend in a matter of months.
Severely depressed, he considered suicide. He now urges other men not to bottle up their feelings.
"Don't suffer in silence. Talk to someone and get some help," he advised.
:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org
Update:
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what do you think?
Windows Live User
Here's another one for all you Orange fans! How many of you constantly drop connection to the web? Everyone I speak to in my town that is on Orange suffers the same blight. I am sick of talking to Orange engineers, talking the same things and getting a new modem sent as "that must be the problem" H. E ll I even went out and bought my own but still I drop connection. I am sitting here constantly losing connection at 6am. No wonder middle and old aged men are driven to deep thoughts I have been with this outfit since early wanadoo days and did not suffer this problem then, only in the last few years Tempting me to move on to a more reliant service they are. Orange -get it fixed for heavens sake Wonder if they will delete this post?
blue side
O I thought I was the one but when I spoke with my daughter she experienced the same. I have spoken with orange and they even sent me a new router. Not sure where you are but my daughter was in Bristol, I am West Mids which makes me think this is a national Orange problem. Like you I am thinking about a move as I doubt Orange will do anything to solve the problem - why should they when so many of us mugs keep paying.
eastonandrea
Yup that kept happening to mine aswell and i was sent out a new router, made no difference now i've swopped contracts and problem solved.
Windows Live User
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Edgar Beckett
You`ll just have to face it chaps, men are not needed anymore. We have even reached a stage where troops can lay down their guns, give birth and then carry on fighting.
eastonandrea
Edgar, good, kind and decent men are always needed.
blue side
This report makes sad reading because it identifies this macho perception and the burden imposed as historically being the bread winner - when things go wrong often the problem is compounded when your partner looks to the man for answers which are not there: that is her defense mechanism. Sir Kenneth Clark in his insolvency report (pre 86) identified what I have always called 'insolvency panic'. This is a social consequence of our present situation created by what we now expect out of life and mismatch between expectations and reality - I wonder if those bad days of 100 years ago were so bad because the expectations were not as high and the ground rules clearly set. Just a thought
Usual Suspect
Suicide is the best and most cost effective way to rid the gene pool of weak-minded pansies. For the rest of you copycat wannabes, grow some man size balls, take care of yourself and forget what others expect or think, they don't pay your bills, so their opinions don't count. Quit moaning, you know right from wrong, so do the right thing for yourself. You can do it.
Max Power
100% agree
Usual Suspect
Suicide is the best and most cost effective way to rid the gene pool of weak-minded pansies. For the rest of you copycat wannabes, grow some man size balls, take care of yourself and forget what others expect or think, they don't pay your bills, so their opinions don't count. Quit moaning, you know right from wrong, so do the right thing for yourself. You can do it.
eastonandrea
Usual Suspect....Not nicely put, but i think i get where you're coming from......... Guys please don't feel like you have to always be the strong ones, if you are part of a couple support each other, get through the tough times as one and if your alone don't feel you have to please anyone, do whats best for you and look after yourself.
Justin Case
well your headline is wrong for a start; 'suicide in middle aged men hits record numbers' then goes on to say men in their 30s 40s and 50s...middle aged???? I'm 78 and I think I just qualify for that catagory. Its also to be expected that men from deprived backgrounds are more likely to commit suicide, seems to me another enquiry that doesnt really hit the problem.
john
Every time we get a government that encourages high unemployment the suicide rate rises, shipyards go, coalmines go, ex-workers take their own lives. I knew two men who killed themselves by pouring petrol over their heads and burning themselves to death as a result of losing their jobs, would you have the cojones to do that, Usual Suspect?
eastonandrea
Horrific for the families of the two men you speak of, may they rest in peace though.
Name witheld
12:35am on 20/9/2012
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