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On average, men have a lower life expectancy than women, are more likely to be uninsured, to not have a primary care physician, to struggle with undiagnosed mental health challenges like depression, and to die by suicide. This month, NFL Total Wellness will share information and resources to remind all men to prioritize their physical and emotional health.

Stay healthy by:

• Getting a physical exam from your doctor on a consistent basis, even if you feel healthy
• Creating a healthy lifestyle by:
  • Not smoking
  • Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation
  • Eating a healthy and balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole carbs
  • Exercising at least 4x per week for at least 30 minutes
• Seeking out professional help to proactively support your mental health, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of depression such as increased irritability, sadness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or no longer enjoying activities you once enjoyed
• Knowing your numbers:
  • Get your cholesterol levels checked at the age of 25 and every 5 years from then on
  • Get your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level tested at age 45 and every 5 years from then on to monitor for prostate cancer
  • Get your blood pressure and glucose levels checked at your regular physical
• Staying connected by spending time with loved ones. Make time to check-in regularly with your friends. And, lean on your friends and loved ones when you need support. They will be there for you just as you are there for them

Check out the resources below to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.

One of the best ways to support your holistic health is to be informed. Check out the resources below that can help you understand your own health status and the health challenges that are unique to men.

• Suicide Prevention Hotline
  
• Mental Health America Screening Tool
  
•  ADAA resources for seeking help
  
• NPR Hidden Brain: How American Masculinity Creates Lonely Men
  
• PBS News Hour: The Culture of Masculinity and its Negative Impacts on Men
  
• TED Talk: How Barbershops Can Keep Men Healthy
  

Know your facts:

• Currently, men are dying an average of 5 years younger than women
• Men are 4x more likely to die by suicide than women
• 6 million men are affected by depression in the United States every year. Male depression often goes undiagnosed. When men experience depression, they are more likely to report fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in work or hobbies as opposed to feelings of sadness or worthlessness
• 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health problem each year
• Rates of mental illness in African Americans are similar with those of the general population, however only one in three African Americans who need mental health care receives it
• In 2017, 42.5% of youth ages 12-17 received care for a major depressive episode, but only 35.1% of black youth and 32.7% of Hispanic youth received treatment for their condition.