title: Successful mental health promotion with men: the evidence from 'tacit knowledge'.
abstract: There remains significant concern about men's mental health, particularly in terms of personal and societal barriers to help-seeking, negative coping mechanisms and high suicide rates. This article presents findings from a multi-phase study looking at 'what works' in mental health promotion for men. Work here reports the collection and analysis of the tacit knowledge of those working within mental health promotion interventions for men. A 'multiple hub and spoke' approach was used to assist data collection. Thirteen key players, active in the men's mental health field, half from the UK and half beyond, formed an Investigative Network collecting data, mainly through interviews, from wider geographical and professional community contexts where they had networks. The focus of data collection was on 'what works' in mental health promotion for men. Data was analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Findings suggest that settings which created safe male spaces acted to promote trust, reduce stigma and normalize men's engagement in interventions. Embedding interventions within the communities of men being engaged, fully involving these men, and holding 'male-positive' values engendered familiarity and consolidated trust. Using 'male-sensitive' language and activity-based approaches allowed for positive expressions of emotions, facilitated social engagement, and provided a base for open communication. Appropriate partnerships were also seen as a necessary requirement for success and as crucial for maximizing intervention impact. The importance of gender and 'masculinity' was apparent throughout these findings and taking time to understand gender could facilitate positive ways of working alongside men, increasing levels of engagement and successful outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Esmée
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raine
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seims
authors.affiliation: Centre for Men's Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D054526:Men's Health; D008603:Mental Health; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust