{"id":26564,"date":"2018-11-19T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2018-11-19T10:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=26564"},"modified":"2018-11-19T10:00:41","modified_gmt":"2018-11-19T10:00:41","slug":"yes-there-is-an-international-mens-day-and-its-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/yes-there-is-an-international-mens-day-and-its-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes, there is an International Men’s day and it’s today"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Men’s Day exists to promote men’s physical and mental health, and this year’s theme is\u00a0‘Promoting Positive Male Role Models’<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As we celebrate International Men\u2019s Day today, many are quick to add that we have other 364 other days of the year to favour men who are already holding the majority of power in governments, corporations, media companies and so on.<\/p>\n

It is crucial to remember that men are more than a job title and having the default expectation that they should simply work hard, earn well and stay with their family only when they have time, really takes a toll on their mental health. While it is highly debated whether women can \u2018have it all\u2019, it is an accepted fact that men\u2019s duty is to provide for the family. This raises frustration as many men wake up regretting spending so much time at work and less with the ones they care about.<\/p>\n

What is International Men\u2019s Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celebrated in more than 70 countries since its founding by Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of the West Indies in 1999, IMD is looking to improve lives, find solutions for social problems and help heal our wounded communities. Its main focus is men\u2019s health and well-being as a couple of embarrassing or uncomfortable minutes talking about their problems is worth years of happiness.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s International Men\u2019s Day (IMD) theme is ‘Promoting Positive Male Role Models’<\/em> and its mission is to \u201chighlight the positive value men bring to the world, their families and their communities\u201d, says Aussie fellow Warwick Marsh, the coordinator for IMD<\/a> in an article from Mission Box.<\/a> Other themes include ‘Working to expand reproductive options for men<\/em>‘ in 2015 and ‘Make a difference for Men and Boys<\/em>‘ in 2016.<\/p>\n

Depression and anxiety become bigger and bigger problems each year with the hectic lifestyle that a successful life implies. These issues can leave people feeling like they are trapped in a glass box with little to no room to move, to the point that everyday chores take an agonizing effort.<\/p>\n

Even if there is a decrease in male suicide in the UK, suicide still remains the biggest killer of men under age of 50 according to The Samaritans\u2019 Suicide Statistics Report from 2018<\/a>. Moreover, \u201cmore than 10 men a day kill themselves with men being three times more likely to commit suicide\u201d, \u00a0as well as accounting for more than 71% of all murders according to statistics<\/a> by the Official International Men\u2019s Day Global Website<\/a>. With a man dying from suicide every minute, globally<\/a>, it\u2019s safe to say that we need a change.<\/p>\n

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Info-graphic by Vanessa Craus<\/p><\/div>\n

Fighting for developMENt<\/strong><\/p>\n

Key skills such as patience, emotional intelligence and empathy are core aspects of a healthy society. Considering that 95% of UK\u2019s 100,000 prisoners are male,<\/a> it is essential for our society to support the development of wholesome individuals.<\/p>\n

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Info-graphic by Vanessa Craus<\/p><\/div>\n

Check out the Map below for events related to International Men\u2019s day that you might want to be a part of.<\/p>\n

[googlemaps https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1DZh9PjI8ezEgvrv9itHkOVknA4ytarao&w=640&h=480]<\/p>\n

On the same note, big organizations are already promoting positive male role models for IMD in the form of working class men who are living decent, honest lives.<\/p>\n

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To celebrate #InternationalMensDay<\/a> 2018 we will be recognising & celebrating the achievements & contributions of our male officers throughout the remainder of this month. We start with Tom…he is a Police Constable who joined the MDP in 2016… #IMD2018<\/a> #CelebrateMen<\/a>@UKMensDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7zdEbAIa2r<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ministry of Defence Police (@MODPolice) November 15, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n