The Role of FHM in Men's Mental Health Awareness
FHM is a British lifestyle magazine for young adult males that was published from September 1985 to February 2015. It was founded in London and had both national and international editions. Its focus is on fashion, sport, music, film, gadgets, video games, technology, cars, dating, fitness, travel, and comedy.
In some issues, FHM tackled serious topics like men's mental health, reflecting a growing awareness of emotional well-being in its audience. In the UK, it ran articles such as "How to Cope With Depression" (June 2004), "The Lowdown on Male Depression" (May 2006), and "Talking About Mental Health" (January 2014). The editors of the magazine recognized that men were increasingly concerned about their mental health and wanted to provide them with resources to cope with anxiety, stress, and depression.
To address this issue, FHM published a series of articles aimed at educating readers about mental health and encouraging them to seek help if they needed it. These articles included interviews with experts on mental health, stories of real men who struggled with mental illness, tips for managing stress, and advice on how to talk to friends or family members about mental health concerns. By providing this information, FHM helped to break down the stigma around mental health in the male population and encourage open communication about these important issues.
FHM partnered with organizations such as the Samaritans and Mind to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health services. In 2009, the magazine launched the "Feel Good Friday" campaign, which encouraged readers to take time out from work each Friday to focus on their own mental health. It also hosted charity events and sponsored initiatives such as Movember, which raises funds and awareness for men's health issues.
By addressing men's mental health in its pages, FHM helped to normalize the conversation around emotional well-being and make it more accessible to young men. This is an important step towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and helping more men to get the support they need.