Category: Mental Health

shortlisted for the Community Group Award at the BBC Radio Wiltshire
Posted in BBC NEW Celebrating Trowbridge Mental Health News From Facebook feed Press Release Trowbridge Service Users Group TUG News

Trowbridge Mental Health Support Group Shortlisted for Prestigious BBC Community Award

 Author: admin Published Date: June 11, 2025

Trowbridge, Wiltshire — 11/06/2025 — Trowbridge Users Group is proud to announce it has been shortlisted for the Community Group Award at the BBC Radio…

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Men’s vs. Women’s Mental Health: Are the Differences Real or Reinforced? Body: When we divide mental health into gender-specific categories—“men’s mental health” and “women’s mental health”—we might think we're being helpful. After all, men and women do experience mental health differently in many ways. But are these differences rooted in biology, or are they shaped by culture, stigma, and expectations? And is this division always helpful? ✅ The Pros of Gender-Based Mental Health Approaches 1. Gendered Experiences Are Real Men and women often face different life pressures. Men are more likely to be told to "man up," while women may face the mental health effects of sexism, gender-based violence, and hormonal changes. 2. It Helps Tailor Support Campaigns like Movember highlight men’s mental health struggles, including the shockingly high male suicide rate. Meanwhile, women benefit from targeted care for postpartum depression, menopause-related anxiety, or trauma recovery. 3. It Challenges Harmful Norms Talking about gender differences allows us to question harmful ideas—like the myth that women are “too emotional” or that “real men don’t cry.” ❌ The Cons of Dividing Mental Health by Gender 1. It Reinforces the Gender Binary Not everyone identifies as male or female. Trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people often fall outside the “men’s vs. women’s” model and face unique, under-researched challenges. 2. It Misses Intersectionality A Black woman, a gay man, or a working-class trans person may experience mental illness in ways that can’t be captured by gender alone. Race, class, sexuality, and location all play crucial roles. 3. It Can Lead to Stereotyping Saying “women are more anxious” or “men don’t talk about feelings” flattens the complexity of how mental health actually shows up. 4. It Risks Misdiagnosis Men may express depression as anger or substance abuse and be overlooked. Women may be diagnosed quickly but prescribed medication over therapy. ⚖️ Are There Actual Gender Differences? Statistically, yes: Men are: 3x more likely to die by suicide. Less likely to seek mental health support. More prone to substance use and risk-taking behaviours. Women are: More likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. More vulnerable to trauma from abuse. More likely to access services—but often not given choices beyond medication. But these numbers don’t tell the whole story. Many of these differences are socially constructed, not biologically inevitable. They reflect how society teaches people to express—or suppress—their emotions. 🧠 What We Need Instead Support that’s gender-aware, but not gender-limited Services that are inclusive of trans and non-binary people An intersectional approach that sees the whole person, not just their gender Final Thought: Let’s use gender to inform care—not to box people in. Everyone deserves mental health support that respects their identity, experience, and humanity.
Posted in Mental Health Mental Health Research Trowbridge Service Users Group

Men’s vs. Women’s Mental Health: Are the Differences Real or Reinforced?

 Author: admin Published Date: June 8, 2025

When we divide mental health into gender-specific categories—“men’s mental health” and “women’s mental health”—we might think we’re being helpful. After all, men and women do…

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✅ Pros of Gender-Specific Mental Health Categories Highlights Gendered Experiences Men and women often experience mental health differently due to social roles, expectations, hormonal influences, and life events (e.g., postnatal depression in women, pressure to suppress emotions in men). Gender-specific data helps identify these patterns and tailor responses. Supports Targeted Interventions Campaigns like Movember or International Women’s Mental Health Day raise awareness of unique mental health struggles (e.g., high suicide rates among men, or gender-based violence affecting women’s mental health). Support groups can feel safer or more relevant when gender-specific (e.g., men’s peer support groups that challenge stigma). Challenges Harmful Stereotypes Framing men’s mental health as a public issue helps fight toxic masculinity and the stigma of emotional vulnerability. Women’s mental health advocacy helps expose issues like gaslighting in medical settings and misdiagnosis. ❌ Cons of Gender-Specific Mental Health Categories Reinforces Binary Thinking Treating gender as a binary (men vs. women) ignores non-binary, intersex, and transgender individuals whose experiences don’t fit neatly into one box. It can erase or oversimplify diverse gender identities and experiences. Neglects Intersectionality Gender doesn't operate alone—race, class, sexuality, disability, and culture all shape mental health. Focusing only on gender can mask these intersections. A working-class Black woman, for example, may experience compounded stigma that differs from that of a middle-class white woman. Pathologises Natural Differences Hormonal shifts (e.g., during menstruation or menopause) can be medicalised without considering broader emotional and social contexts. Men’s reluctance to seek help may be framed as a flaw rather than a response to stigma or inaccessible services. Risks Stereotyping “Women are more emotional,” “men don’t talk about feelings”—these clichés can shape diagnosis, treatment, and self-perception. Clinicians may underdiagnose depression in men (who express it as anger or risk-taking), or dismiss women’s symptoms as “hormonal.”
Posted in Mental Health

âś… Pros of Gender-Specific Mental Health Categories

 Author: admin Published Date: June 8, 2025

❌ Cons of Gender-Specific Mental Health Categories

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The History of Homosexuality in Mental Health: From Pathology to Pride
Posted in LGBTQ+ Mental Health Mental Health Research Trowbridge Service Users Group

The History of Homosexuality in Mental Health: From Pathology to Pride

 Author: admin Published Date: June 1, 2025

For much of the 20th century, the relationship between homosexuality and the field of mental health was fraught with stigma, misunderstanding, and controversy. Today, while…

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Posted in Mental Health Service User Consultant service user contribution Service User Employment

The Future of Mental Health in Trowbridge: Rebuilding Through Peer Support

 Author: admin Published Date: May 11, 2025

Over the past 25 years, mental health services in Trowbridge and across Wiltshire have faced significant challenges. Austerity measures since 2010 have led to nearly…

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Moonlight and Madness: The Shifting Face of Mental Health from the Middle Ages to Today
Posted in Mental Health Trowbridge Service Users Group

Title: Moonlight and Madness: The Shifting Face of Mental Health from the Middle Ages to Today

 Author: admin Published Date: May 11, 2025

Throughout history, the moon has cast more than just light on the night sky—it has illuminated humanity’s understanding of the mind. From medieval beliefs in…

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May is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood—but it's real, it's serious, and it’s treatable. BPD can cause intense emotional pain, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviors, and a fragile sense of self.
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Mental Health MR BPD View Trowbridge Service Users Group

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder: A Deep Dive into BPD

 Author: admin Published Date: May 4, 2025

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that affects how people feel about themselves, how they relate to others, and how they…

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mental health and social interaction
Posted in Mental Health Trowbridge Service Users Group TUG News

Socialising Is Good for Your Mental Health – And We’re Here to Help

 Author: admin Published Date: April 7, 2025

At Trowbridge Service Users Group, we understand that improving your mental health takes more than just waiting for appointments or prescriptions—it takes connection. When you’ve…

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Social interaction and the benifits to mental health
Posted in Mental Health Mental Health Research Service User Involvement

How Social interaction plays a crucial role in improving mental health

 Author: admin Published Date: March 31, 2025

Social interaction is important for good mental health Social interaction plays a crucial role in improving mental health by providing emotional support, reducing stress, and…

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Exciting News from Trowbridge Service Users Group! 🌞 We’re shifting from our winter schedule to a summer schedule, which means evening sessions are back!
Posted in Mental Health Summer Evening Group TUG News

Trowbridge Service Users Group: Embracing Summer with Evening Socials

 Author: admin Published Date: March 30, 2025

As the seasons change, so does our schedule! Trowbridge Service Users Group is excited to transition from our winter routine to our summer schedule, offering…

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