Millions of men say they are not okay and in fact are feeling down an average of three times a week.

A poll of 2,000 males revealed they rate their mental health as an average 6 out of 10.

But those as young as 18 feel just a five out of 10.

Dealing with a physical health condition (26 percent), poor eating habits (20 percent) and pressures at work (20 percent) are among the reasons men have struggled with their mental well-being in the last 12 months.

Others claim not being in a relationship, life changes – such as the breakdown of a marriage – and scrolling through social media can affect their general wellbeing.

But 44 percent have never opened up to someone about how they are feeling, with 32 percent often feeling lonely.

While 35 percent actively avoid conversations with others about their mental wellbeing.

The research was commissioned by NIVEA MEN as part of its ’Strength In Numbers’ [www.NIVEA.co.uk/StrenghtInNumbers] campaign, which, together with Talk Club, aims to give men the tools to start the conversation and check in with their feelings by asking themselves, and others “How are you? Out of 10?”.

Ben Akers, co-CEO and co-founder of Talk Club, said: “Most men find it difficult to open up about their feelings. But simply answering “How are you? Out of 10?” gives them a way to start.

“We seem to look after our cars better than our minds.

“But talking about our worries regularly releases the pressure, allowing us to become mentally fitter and in turn mentally stronger.

“Giving something regular service, makes it less likely to breakdown.

“Remember that it’s ok for our numbers to change – that’s to be expected – but understanding why and being able to talk about it is what can improve them.”

The study also found social events leave two-thirds of men feeling anxious, with two in 10 feeling stressed in the workplace.

However, more than seven in 10 feel more relaxed when at home on the weekend and 63 percent feel calm when hanging out with friends.

Mindfulness and regular exercise, as well as breathwork and meditation were among the more common ways the men maintain their good mental health.

While four in 10 of those aged 35 to 40 have visited the GP to discuss their mental wellbeing.

Although nearly four in 10 have felt able to open up to a close friend or family member about their feelings.

But while many are keen to talk with others, nearly half (47 percent) feel less comfortable asking other men about their struggles – with fertility issues being the number one topic that’s off-limits.

Other subjects men are nervous about discussing include addictions, eating habits, and hair loss.

When asked why they avoid such conversations, one in five said they don’t want people close to them to see their vulnerable side or to be judged by their actions, while 18 percent believe they can handle their struggles on their own.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, revealed 57 percent of men would like to see more support available for those struggling with their mental health.

Many consider regular conversations with friends and family (30 percent), talking about your feelings with others (27 percent) and cutting back on alcohol (22 percent) as ways they can maintain their mental fitness.

Emily Marcham, from NIVEA MEN, said: “It saddens us to hear so many men are struggling with their mental health and are uncomfortable with the thought of opening up.

“Hoping to reduce the rates of loneliness by helping more men and boys to start a conversation, NIVEA MEN has come together with Talk Club to provide useful tools to help open up the conversation.

“It all starts with answering one question; ‘How are you? Out of 10?’. So, why not try it now?

“Check in with yourself, and check-in with others around you, because the truth is that regularly checking in and opening up makes us stronger.”

THINGS THAT HAVE AFFECTED MENTAL HEALTH FOR MEN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS
1. Health condition
2. Poor eating habits
3. Work deadlines/ pressures
4. Relationship status
5. Life goals e.g. career, marriage, mortgage
6. Life changes e.g. having kids, job promotion
7. Social media
8. Addictions
9. Fitness plans
10. Hair loss

A park ranger has become a TikTok wildlife star after revealing how interacting with hummingbirds can boost people’s moods.

James Manzolillo, 34 – known as HumDaddy to fans – has more than 720,000 TikTok followers thanks to his tips on how to feed and care for the tiny nectar-eating birds.

James – from Oakland, California, USA – began to notice the birds when he suffered from depression after the deaths of his grandmother and his aunt left him “in a really low place”.

But a hummingbird flew up to him while he was sitting on his balcony one day and reminded him “that I could still feel happiness, that I was still alive”.

Now James creates elaborate costumes and props to interact with the tiny hummingbirds in his neighbourhood

He told Zenger News: “I have always loved animals since I was a small child. I would cut out pictures of wild animals from nature magazines and play with them for hours.

“I have also worked as an animal rehabilitation technician, helping injured or orphaned animals get their second chance at life.

“I am now a Park Ranger where I get to be an advocate for nature every day.

“What I like most about hummingbirds is how bold and brave they can be despite their very small size.

“They give me the inspiration to be bold in life, and to not be afraid.

“To be yourself despite any setbacks you might face, like being a really small hummingbird but still having a larger than life personality.”

He added: “Hummingbirds eat flower nectar which can be mimicked by mixing four cups of water with one cup of white granulated sugar. It has to be white granulated sugar only!

“They eat double their body weight in nectar every day. They can also eat over 1,000 insects a day.”

James told Zenger News: “Hummingbirds are seen all year round in the area where I live so I am able to feed them every day.

“Other parts of North American only get hummingbirds in the spring and summer months.”

Following a string of viral videos on TikTok, James said: “It all came as a surprise and a great honour.

“The fact that I owe it all to the hummingbirds is not lost on me. They’re the real stars of the show.

“I’m just so glad and blessed that they have given me an outlet to be myself and lean into a craft that I find so much joy in doing.

“Coming up with new, innovative ways to feed birds is a blast and has been such a thrill.

“I’d like people to know that nature can be so incredibly healing. If you’re ever looking for free therapy, go to nature. We must protect it at all costs.”

James told Zenger News: “Oftentimes, people criticise me for ‘having too much time on my hands’. I’d like to normalise using our free time to do something productive for our own mental health and betterment.

“Instead of playing video games for hours, or going out to bars on the weekend, I choose to use my free time crafting up new fun ways to interact with nature.

“I’d like people to know that it’s okay to be different and to use your time however you see fit.

“I’ve turned this hobby into a side hustle selling hummingbird feeders and making some extra income doing something that I love. And in the process, I have found myself.”

A young woman who met real people on the streets to ask them what they did and how much they were paid has sparked a heated debate online.

Hannah Williams, who is asking the questions, runs the @salarytransparentstreet on TikTok and starts the video by saying: “This is salary transparent street. We’re in Georgetown, Washington D.C. and today we’re going to ask people what they do and how much they make.”

She is then filmed stopping random people to ask what they did, and how much they were paid.

She starts off with a person in IT that says that they make USD 70,000 a year, and then she moves on to a lifeguard that gets USD 15 an hour.

The next person works for the government and claims to make USD 76,000, and after that, there was a contractor making USD 96,000 and a Smithsonian Environment Research Centre scientist making USD 52,000.

The video quickly notched up millions of views and thousands of comments as part of the salary transparency concept where people are expected to share their job titles and what they are paid to help others decide where to work and how much to ask for.

Salary transparency is regarded as one of the key factors for employee satisfaction. A survey by global company monitor GlassDoor where users can leave comments on previous employers found that 72 per cent think salary transparency would be good for business and 70 per cent say it makes staff happier.

Asked an additional question about whether she thought money or enthusiasm for the job are most important to the researcher, she replied: “I think passion matters more, but money is also very important and people need to be able to make a living wage no matter what they do.”

Williams later responded to comments on her personal blog by defending the salary transparency that she advocates, saying that it is completely illegal to ban staff from talking about what they earn, and that staff that do not share such information are hurting themselves.

New York City has made it compulsory for companies to put the salary range on job adverts with the law coming into force in the middle of next month. (May 15)