It’s How You Look in Your Mate’s Eyes”: A Thematic Analysis Exploring Men’s Perceptions of Mental Health in Former Mining Communities

Men are more at risk of suicide but less likely to access mental health services than women. Men aged 45-64 are the highest risk group of suicide in England and Wales. Recent gender-specific research has attempted to explore the reasons for this health inequality, although much more enquiry is needed into smaller groups of men with unique characteristics. Former mining communities have many risk factors associated with mental health difficulties. These include lower than national average levels of education and household income, and higher levels of underemployment and unemployment. The present research therefore focusses on the mental health perspectives of these men. The underpinning research question is: How do men from former mining communities who have never accessed mental health support perceive mental health? The study utilised a cross-sectional qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 men aged 45-64 who had never accessed mental health services and lived in former mining communities. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and 4 main themes are described. The men described how life had always been hard, but increasing isolation since the mines closed had adversely affected mental health in the community. Stoicism was seen as a male strategy to survive hardships, passed down through generations of men. Mental health support was perceived as positive for others but was something that men of the community could not access for fear of judgement and rejection by their peers. Recommendations for next steps and further areas of enquiry are discussed.