More support needed for men in the criminal justice system

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in the UK, which aims to reduce the stigma around asking for help and encourage men to talk about their mental health.

Mental health issues can affect anyone, but research from the Mental Health Foundation shows that men are less likely than women to seek help. In the criminal justice system, men’s mental health is a particular concern with nearly three in five men (59%) in prison purporting to have mental health problems. The primary cases are anxiety, depression, psychosis and personality disorder.

Despite this high number, men are less likely than women to receive help for their mental health problems while in prison. Research published by the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) revealed that around half (54%) of female inmates obtained support for their mental health in their current prison, compared to only three in 10 (29%) of male inmates.

PRT also reported that prisoners requiring hospital transfers for their mental health faced substantial delays ranging from two days to upwards of a year. To make matters worse, only one in five people returning from hospital to prison who were entitled to aftercare received it.

Legal profession

Beyond criminal justice, men's mental health is also an issue in the legal profession due to long working hours, client expectations and court deadlines.

LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, published a report about men's mental health in the legal profession. It explained that the 'double whammy' of being both a man and a lawyer can make it difficult to reach out for help.

The report also showed that fewer men than women used LawCare’s support services, prompting the charity to ask how it can better support men in the legal profession with their mental health.

After conducting a focus group, LawCare found that the availability of external, confidential support is critical to men being able to reach out and seek the support that they require. Equally important is the response men receive if and when they do reach out for help.

A manager’s reaction to someone opening up about a mental health struggle plays an important part in embedding a culture where people feel safe to ask for support, both within and outside of the organisation.

LawCare has been providing free, confidential emotional support and peer support for people working in the legal sector in the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man for more than 25 years.

LawCare has a helpline, support email and online chat which is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. They can also signpost to other support agencies.

The Law Society also offers practical support to solicitors experiencing personal, financial or employment difficulties through various helplines including the pastoral care helpline. Our free and confidential helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is only one month of the year, however as a profession we must raise the profile of the mental health of men in our criminal justice system and support men in the legal sector throughout the entire year.

Read more about Men's Mental Health Awareness Month here.

Richard Atkinson is president of the Law Society of England and Wales