• Millions of British men would avoid discussing their mental health at all
• Over half of the UK’s population do not think that men’s mental health is taken seriously
• Only one in three men say they would speak to a GP about their mental health, and just 7% say that they would speak with an anonymous helpline

Millions of British men would not talk to anyone at all if they suffered from mental health issues.

New research by 24/7 Pest Control for Men’s Health Week has found that 14% of men in the UK would not talk to anybody about their mental health problems.

That equates to more than 3.6 million men who would avoid discussing a mental health issue, despite public health campaigns such as ITV’s Britain Get Talking, or Prince William’s Mentally Healthy Football Declaration, urging men to open up about illnesses such as depression.

When asked by YouGov whom they would speak with about their mental health, 47% of men revealed that they would confide in their significant other, while fewer than a third of men (31%) feel they would be able to speak to their close friends.

Who do men talk to about their mental health?
My partner	47%
My close friends	31%
My friends	8%
My parents	16%
My siblings	12%
My colleagues	4%
My boss / manager	6%
My GP	30%
A therapist	15%
An anonymous helpline	7%
None of the above	3%
I would not talk to anybody	14%
Don’t know	8%

Concerning discussing their mental health with a medically trained professional, 30% of men say that they would reach out to their GP for help and advice, while 15% would talk to a therapist.

Only 7% of men say that they would discuss their mental health with an anonymous helpline, while 8% don’t know who they would talk to.

In the workplace, mental health issues are still seen as a “taboo” subject, with only 6% of men saying they would discuss their mental health with their boss, and 4% confirming that they would speak with other colleagues.

The study also reveals that more than half of the UK’s population feel that men’s mental health is not considered a serious topic of discussion.

The research – drawn from more than 5,000 adults surveyed – shows that 57% of Brits feel that the issue of men’s mental health is still not being taken seriously by modern society.

How seriously, if at all, do you think society takes the issue of men’s mental health?
	All Adults	Men	Women	18-24	25-49	50-64	65+
Very seriously	4%	4%	5%	5%	5%	5%	3%
Somewhat seriously	30%	25%	34%	22%	31%	33%	28%
Not very seriously	43%	44%	41%	46%	40%	40%	48%
Not seriously at all	14%	18%	11%	23%	15%	14%	10%
Don’t know	9%	8%	9%	5%	9%	9%	11%

Across genders, 62% of men feel that their mental health is not taken seriously, with 52% of women in agreement with this viewpoint.

Age grouping (across both men and women) creates an interesting divide across the population, with 69% of 18-24 year olds feeling that society doesn’t take men’s mental health seriously, followed by 58% of Brits aged 65+.

In a survey assessing the general mood of the country, it was found that a third of men are feeling stressed and/or frustrated at present. This figure pales in comparison to the stress felt among women, however, which reaches 43%.

	All Adults	Male	Female	18-24	25-49	50-64	65+
Sad	21%	19%	24%	33%	26%	17%	13%
Apathetic	18%	20%	16%	21%	19%	19%	14%
Frustrated	32%	32%	31%	42%	36%	28%	23%
Stressed	38%	33%	43%	49%	48%	30%	23%
Bored	21%	22%	20%	45%	24%	10%	15%
Lonely	19%	17%	20%	34%	22%	12%	12%
Scared	9%	7%	11%	16%	11%	5%	6%

The age groups feeling the most stress are 18-24 year olds and 25-49 year olds, with both categories reaching 49% and 48% respectively. The youngest age group in the survey have the “itchiest feet”, with 45% claiming that they are bored.

Commenting on the findings of the study, a spokesperson for 24/7 Pest Control said: “It is important – not just for men – to remember that one’s mental wellbeing is just as important as one’s physical health. If someone broke their leg, they wouldn’t hesitate to take a trip to the hospital, and no one should hesitate to reach out for help in keeping a healthy mind.”

– see a pharmacist for advice

Pollen counts are high! Hay fever is the most common seasonal allergy, affecting one in five of us at some point in our lives, and the symptoms can make life very difficult for sufferers. It can come and go at any time in life so for those that haven’t had it before it can take us by surprise.

But it doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the warmer weather outdoors. Your local pharmacist can recommend treatments to ease the symptoms.

Dr Dave Baker, GP and South West Lincolnshire Locality Lead, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Although there is no cure for hay fever, there are many over-the-counter remedies available from your local pharmacy to help make life and the condition easier to manage during the summer months.

“Pharmacists are fully trained health professionals who can offer useful advice on treatments for hay fever, such as antihistamines.

“Antihistamines are commonly used for hay fever. They block the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen like pollen.

“Decongestants and steroid nasal sprays can also help to relieve a blocked nose which is often caused by hay fever, as well as dust allergies and pet allergies.

“For those already taking regular medication, pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate treatments that won’t interfere with it.

“If you’ve tried over-the-counter medicines but are still struggling with troublesome symptoms it may be worth speaking to your GP, as you may need prescription medication.”

An NHS hay fever advice video is available to view here:

Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen and the hay fever season lasts for several months, with tree pollen released in the spring, grass pollen in late spring and summer, and tree pollen in the autumn.  Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes as pollen causes the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

As well as seeking advice from your local pharmacist to ease its symptoms, sufferers can take some basic precautions to help prevent hay fever, including applying a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) below the nostrils to trap pollen grains, and wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in the eyes.

It’s also a good idea to take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors, and try to stay indoors when the pollen count is particularly high (over 50 grains per cubic metre of air).

To find your nearest pharmacy in Lincolnshire visit www.nhs.uk/ and put your postcode in search box, along with the service you need.

For more information about treating hay fever, visit www.nhs.uk

Lara Rodgers says…

My brother’s bike was stolen from his house on Huntingower Road early hours this morning.

Any information please call Sam Rodgers on 07925 601450

Geoff says…

The other day, I was telling some of my neighbour’s youngsters, how when we were at the Boys Central in the 1950s, we spent our holidays on the farm, making a few bob.

Favourite was potato picking but there were lots of other jobs which only humans could do.

My mother also used to pick taates while dad was doing a ‘proper’ job.

I also read recently that farmers are struggling for labour.

Yet these lads said they would love to do some part time work on a farm, either arable or looking after animals.

So are any farmers in this area looking for extra help they could train up?

Kelvin Oakes says….

Found this old pic of a local man that used to work in the mines with my grandad but can’t seem to find who he is.

Both lived in town and seen in other pictures.

Can anyone help?

Helen says…

There’s a brown coloured ferret running around Green Lane top of Sunningdale.

Has anyone lost one?

Greetings card company thortful.com create the Ultimate Dad Jokes Index

Dad jokes… we all know the ones; the corny one-liners that make us cringe (and sometimes die a bit inside with embarrassment) because they are so bad.

To celebrate all the dads out there, in the run up to Father’s Day greetings card company, thortful.com are compiling an index of the Ultimate Dad Jokes, to showcase all the dad humour in its cringiest form!

Thortful have tasked the nation with submitting their cheesiest dad jokes. They have shared some of the best dad jokes below:  1 .I went for an interview. They said “Can you perform under pressure?” I said “I’m not sure about that but I can have a good crack at Bohemian Rhapsody” 2. Why can’t Elsa be trusted to hold a balloon? Because she’ll “Let it Go!” 3. What’s the best part about living in Switzerland? I don’t know, but the flag is a big plus. 4. I’ve got a pen that can write underwater. It can write other words too but underwater is one of my faves. 5. Oh no… I’ve just ordered 1000 litres of Tippex… Big mistake. 6. My girlfriend said, “You act like a detective too much. I want to split up.” “Good idea,” I replied. “We can cover more ground that way.” 7. My pet mouse Elvis died last night, “he was caught in a trap!” 8. Just quit my job at the Helium factory. I won’t be spoken to in that tone! 9. Just a adopted a dog from the local blacksmith, soon as I got him home he made a bolt for the door 10. I used to be addicted to the Hokey Cokey, but I managed to turn myself around.

Don’t worry if dad jokes aren’t part of your repertoire, readers can still cast their vote on all entries and review the index for a few lols.

The Dad Joke index can be seen at: https://www.thortful.com/fathers-best-jokes

Samuel asks,

I have just been up the Grantham cemetery and the tap has been turned on and I have tried to turn it off but it’s solidly been turned on I didn’t know if anyone knew anyone who could help or inform the cemetery with it being Sunday no one is working?

Anon says,

Fantastic parking, lol!

Kathleen Priscilla says,

This is on the way through Old Somerby the road chipping store lay-by on the road to Corby Glen. I have emailed the council, how disgusting, it’s all up the lanes too.

Chris Bevan says,

For whoever lost their wallet at the Sainsbury’s filling station this afternoon, I’ve handed it in to the petrol station.

Grantham Man says,

Photos taken yesterday.

Campbell Close play area Grantham.

Environment SK have cut the grass and driven really nicely around an old broken toy tractor that has beer tins in it. When Glendale did the grounds maintenance they collected waste and removed before cutting, do ESK drive around and just leave it now?

Surely lack of follow up by the contractor should be picked up by whoever inspects the play areas for the council??? Also whoever overseas the contractors work?????

Second photo is Winchester Road Green area. Not been cut in a month and looking a mess. Are we due a tax reduction for lack of grass cutting? Or are SKDC growing this to turn to hay and fund the tax rebate?

Again why is this not picked up by the contract monitor? 
Either way, smashing work ESK!!!!!! Great contractor compliance work SKDC.

There is a different layout in ASDA car park this morning.

The parent and child bays are now along the side of Union Street.

Blue badge/disable bays and new blue badge/disable bays along the middle walk way.

Melissa says,

Our cat has been missing for 2 days, could people around the Princess Drive, Belton avenue area check their sheds xx

Mr Conron says,

Please can you publish a post about the 5G May they are trying to install on Barrowby road outside Newton house. It’s going to be 18m high and they have only told 3 residents! Within 600m there is a primary school , children’s nursery and two care homes. We only have until the 10th June to object.

See Proposals here: http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8170#/application/s21%2F0893/documents

Rowena Lovell says…

HI – i haven’t seen this anywhere and it doesn’t seem to be promoted by GPs in town.

However it is a key development in term so personal data and its use by reasearch and marketing companies.

If patients don’t opt out by 23 June then GPs will automatically opt you in and share personal data.

https://www.ft.com/content/9fee812f-6975-49ce-915c-aeb25d3dd748

More info at

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/30/gps-warn-plans-share-patient-data-third-parties-england

Research has shown that people with cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 can also cause ‘new’ damage to the heart and blood vessels in people who have no pre-existing disease.

Heart Research UK’s new grant scheme was designed to fund pioneering research to investigate these links and improve outcomes for patients suffering from COVID-19 who may have underlying cardiovascular problems.

The grants have been awarded to Newcastle University, the University of Dundee and University of Glasgow.

The University of Dundee project, led by Professor Faisel Khan, Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences, will study whether inflammation in the body caused by COVID-19 contributes to long-term damage to the blood vessels. For more on this grant, click here.

The project at the Newcastle University, which will be led by Professor Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Professor of Cardiovascular Gerontology, will investigate long-term inflammation of the heart in COVID-19 patients. It is hoped that the findings will guide immune-therapies to prevent heart inflammation and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients recovering from COVID-19. For more on this grant, click here.

The project at the University of Glasgow, led by Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics and Therapeutics, is aiming to answer whether:

• High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why.
• COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why.
• Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic.

For more on this grant, click here.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “We have known for some time that people with pre-existing heart problems are more susceptible to suffering severe consequences from COVID-19, as well as the virus being able to damage the heart itself.

“However, there is a gap in the research here, and Heart Research UK is very proud to be funding three cutting edge projects that are aiming to help us better understand the most pressing medical challenge in a generation.

“The research we fund has one aim – to benefit patients as soon as possible. We are hopeful that these projects will help to bring about tangible improvements in the way we care for those with COVID-19 and cardiovascular issues.”

Sarah Williamson says…

Today I went to Grantham crematorium with my elderly dad and uncle.

We go every two weeks and was totally disgusted with what I saw.

Two weeks ago when I went in other areas of the crematorium the grass had been cut and we thought the area around my grandad’s would be done by the next time we went.

However sadly it was not the case as the grass is now up to our knees.

It was very upsetting for everyone to see the state of the crematorium.

It is disappointing how where we place our loved ones to rest is not be care for in the correct way.

I hope in two weeks time the area around my grandad’s grave and others will be cut and made look presentable again.

NHS Lincolnshire CCG is encouraging people to talk to their local pharmacy for advice on medications and treatments. 

Pharmacists are highly trained experts in medicines, and can provide advice on the best medication or treatments for a wide range of common problems such as coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms, stomach aches, ear aches, sickness and diarrhoea, rashes, allergies, aches and pains

They can also offer lots of useful advice on how to make sure you take medicines safely and make you aware of any possible side effects, in order to help you get the most from you medicines.

A uniquely accessible workforce of qualified health professionals, in addition to delivering expert medicines advice, pharmacists are able to offer an expanding list of public health services for vulnerable at risk groups, and they are available without appointment.

Pharmacists are able to deal with a wide range of ailments, as well as offering advice on maintaining and improving your health, and the majority now have consultation rooms where they can talk with you in private.  In addition, pharmacists are trained to know when a referral to another health care professional is advisable.

With this in mind, patients, their families and carers are being encouraged to follow these five simple steps when speaking to a pharmacist:

• Feel free to ask your pharmacist anything at all about your medication, health or wellbeing. Remember: they’re trained health professionals, and if it’s important to you, it’s important to them.
• If you’re visiting your pharmacy to get treatment for a minor ailment, be clear about your symptoms – what are they, and how long have you had them. This will help ensure they are able to give you the best advice possible.
• If you think the medication or advice given isn’t right for you, let them know. They won’t be offended and should be able to reassure you, clarify information, or discuss any alternatives.
• If you find anything is unclear about the advice your pharmacist has given you, say something. One way to do this is to repeat back what you think they mean and ask “is this correct?”
• If you want to talk to the pharmacist in more depth, ask if you are eligible for their free of charge NHS medicines advice services, designed to help you get the most out of your medicines.

If you need more urgent medical help or advice you can visit NHS111 online or call NHS 111 anytime.