Men and Mental Health Service Utilisation in the UK
Men show more sporadic and infrequent use of health care services, lack engagement with health material and delay seeking help when faced with health problems (White, Fawkner & Holmes, 2006).
UK statistics indicate that men visit their doctors less frequently than women with the exception of the very young and the very elderly where consultation rates are similar (ISD, 2000; ONS, 2004; NHS Information Centre, 2009; The Scottish Government, 2009).
Women aged between 15 and 44 are twice as likely to visit their GP as men of a similar age (particularly for minor symptoms) and are more likely to be referred for psychological therapy (ISD, 2000; ONS 2000).
A review of progress made by the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme showed that men are not accessing psychological therapies at the primary care level as frequently as women. The ratio was just under two women to every one man. The ratios were greater at both age extremes and lowest for people between the ages of 45-54 (Glover, Webb & Evison, 2010; Table 1).
North East Public Observatory Improving Access to Psychological Therapies: A review of the progress made by sites in the first roll out year
Men become more visible in secondary care mental health services (ONS, 2010) where they are twice as likely to be placed on community treatment orders and make up the vast majority of those detained as mental health inpatients due to prison and court referrals (NHS Information Centre, 2010).
Specific groups of men, such as those from African and Caribbean backgrounds, are more likely to be placed on community treatment orders (NHS Information Centre, 2010) and come into contact with mental health services via the police and criminal justice system (Keating, 2007).
During 2006-2007, 140,000 men used a drug treatment service compared to 55,000 women (NHS Information Centre, 2008).
The figures presented here may indicate that men use less preventative mental health strategies than women and are more likely to come into contact with services when problems are more severe, if at all.
They may also represent a less voluntary use of services and a greater reluctance to seek help from traditional mental health services. Indeed, a scoping study on men‟s health carried out by White (2001) revealed men‟s reluctance to access health care services was a primary issue related to poorer health outcomes for men in the UK.
Specific groups of men, such as those from African and Caribbean backgrounds, are more likely to be placed on community treatment orders (NHS Information Centre, 2010) and come into contact with mental health services via the police and criminal justice system (Keating, 2007).
During 2006-2007, 140,000 men used a drug treatment service compared to 55,000 women (NHS Information Centre, 2008).
The figures presented here may indicate that men use less preventative mental health strategies than women and are more likely to come into contact with services when problems are more severe, if at all.
They may also represent a less voluntary use of services and a greater reluctance to seek help from traditional mental health services. Indeed, a scoping study on men‟s health carried out by White (2001) revealed men‟s reluctance to access health care services was a primary issue related to poorer health outcomes for men in the UK.
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