The campaign “Your silence is not strength!” organised by Olpha, Centrālā laboratorija, Mēness aptieka and Veselības centru apvienība has concluded, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of men’s mental health, challenge stereotypes, and encourage men to seek professional help in a timely manner.
As part of the social campaign, a series of informational events was organised, including the presentation of the latest data on men’s mental health in Latvia and an expert discussion. A survey conducted by the campaign organisers in cooperation with the research company Norstat reveals that only 14% of men have sought professional help when facing mental health problems. At the same time, one in three men admits to having experienced mental health difficulties over the past year.
“The findings show that silence about mental health problems is still wrongly perceived as a sign of strength among men. It is therefore essential to challenge these stereotypes and strengthen public understanding that mental health is an integral part of overall health. Seeking professional help is a responsible step that can significantly reduce the risk of serious consequences. Instead of focusing on what a person cannot do, we should focus on their abilities and what they can do to improve their wellbeing – this also applies to mental health,” says neurologist Jānis Mednieks from Veselības centru apvienība and Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
To improve the situation, it is important not only to change men’s own attitudes toward mental health issues but also to increase the involvement of those around them, encouraging them to seek professional help, experts emphasized during the discussion held on 25 February as part of the social campaign “Your silence is not strength!”.
Highlighting the importance on how sleep affects mental health, free assessments and consultations were held in Riga and Ulbroka at the Health stops at the end of February. Medical students consulted visitors of the health stops on quality sleep and sleep hygiene. Many took the opportunity to measure their blood pressure, complete tests to assess risks for sleep apnea, anxiety-related, and other sleep disorders, and receive guidance on where to turn for sleep-related health issues.
The social campaign “Your silence is not your strength!” was organised in February and March by the Latvian pharmaceutical manufacturer Olpha in collaboration with Veselības centru apvienība, Centrālā laboratorija, and Mēness aptieka.
