Chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer, has said many men are suffering from depression in silence because GPs are only trained to spot the condition in women.

The Daily Mail reports that men are more likely than women to commit suicide if their symptoms are not diagnosed – and the highest suicide risk group in the UK is now men aged between 40 and 49. Mr Farmer claims that middle-aged men are less likely to talk to friends or relatives about their issues and confide only in their partner – which may result in the breakdown of a marriage.

GPs believe that women are more likely to show signs of mental stress, says Mr Farmer – and research by Mind found that many men see GP surgeries as ‘feminised’ places where they do not feel welcome. Mr Farmer said that men comprise three-quarters of all suicides in the UK and the charity is working to raise awareness among GPs.

'We are working on recommendations for GPs, encouraging them to look out for some of the more male symptoms of depression – such as anger or aggression; and also calling for the increased provision of mental health services tailored for men – such as all-male service user groups, which are tremendously successful where they exist,’ said Mr Farmer.

‘Statistics tell us that women are more likely to have depression than men – but in reality, men are just as likely to experience depression, but are far less likely to seek help, be diagnosed or receive treatment,’ he added.

Mr Farmer also said that stereotypes – such as ‘real men don't cry’ – can stop men from seeking help with depression.

‘We are worried that the true extent of men's mental health problems is further masked by the fact that the symptoms of depression that we look for are more commonly experienced by women than men – such as tearfulness,’ said Mr Farmer.

'With diagnostic criteria being more geared towards women, we have heard that men's depression isn't always picked up; and men who do try to reach out are slipping through the net and not receiving the support they need – support that can prove to be life saving,’ he added.

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