Many men struggle to seek mental health support after a crash. Learn why it happens, how trauma affects survivors, and where to get help after an accident.
The impact of a road traffic accident isn’t only physical; there’s a mental effect, too. In support of this assertion, we discovered research that revealed:
- Over 63% of respondents in one survey reported that being in a collision had taken a significant toll on their well-being.
- As many as 45% of road traffic accident survivors develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Studies abound, and they reveal that men are less likely to seek mental health support than women, for several reasons, including.
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- Societal attitudes,
- Conforming to masculine norms,
- Limited availability of information about mental health and a lack of ‘male-friendly’ mental health campaigns
- A survey by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) found that while 41% of women have engaged in counselling or psychotherapy, just 29% of men have sought similar help. Of all NHS referrals for psychological therapies, only 36% are for men.
What is International Men’s Day and why does it matter?
We published this article on International Men’s Day, which falls on the 19th of November each year, with this year’s theme: ‘Celebrating Men and Boys.’
The day focuses on the positive impact men have on their families and broader communities and recognises the positive male role models working to make our society a safer place.
It also shines a spotlight on men’s well-being, recognising the health challenges facing men and boys, including the mental health problems that cause men to take their own lives. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2022, almost three-quarters of suicides were men.
At Mooneerams, we are personal injury solicitors. We pursue compensation claims on behalf of people who suffer injuries in accidents that were not their fault.
On International Men’s Day, this article focus does not focus on the physical injury aspect of serious accidents. Instead, we concentrate on injuries that aren’t visible: the ones that men, in particular, are often reluctant to tell anyone about. These are the psychological or psychiatric injuries that are all too often suffered in silence.
How can a car crash affect your mental health?
For most of us, road traffic accidents conjure up thoughts of physical injuries, like lacerations, broken bones, and head injuries. However, sometimes, the mental impact of an accident can be just as debilitating.
A car crash impacts a survivor’s mental health in a way that’s unique to them. Some survivors are left living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many more report heightened anxiety and avoidance behaviour, such as shying away from driving or even being a passenger in a car.
Why can a crash trigger anxiety, PTSD or trauma?
As humans, we have a natural stress response system that helps us handle certain levels of stress. However, the severity and suddenness of road traffic accidents can cause extreme shock and overwhelm our coping mechanisms. Furthermore, losing control and the fear of serious injury or imminent death can trigger extreme trauma responses.
Each of these factors can affect our mental health. Taken together, they can cause severe PTSD.
What mental health support helps after a car crash?
Evidence shows that mental health support can significantly aid a crash survivor’s recovery. That said, it’s essential to select methods that are appropriate to you and your situation.
There are several types of interventions, each offering different benefits.
For example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can change the negative thought patterns that contribute to the mental health issues brought on by a car accident, such as avoidance behaviour, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), involves patients briefly focusing on the crash while performing guided actions, such as eye movements or tapping. EMDR can change how the memory is stored in a survivor’s brain, thereby reducing its intensity.
Other types of mental health support include mindfulness, peer support and group therapy.
Are men less likely than women to seek help after a car crash?
There has been little research into any difference in the number of men and women seeking support after a car crash. What we do know is that there is a definite treatment gap between car crash survivors who would likely benefit from mental health support and those who seek it.
This treatment gap, coupled with the extensive evidence that men are less likely to seek mental health support than women, may indicate that men are indeed less likely to seek support after a crash than women in the same position.
Where can you get mental health support after a car crash?
If you’re struggling to cope with the emotional impact of a car crash, you’re not alone. Over half of all car crash survivors report that their well-being suffered as a result of their accident, with many developing recognised psychiatric illnesses, such as PTSD.
Several specialist charities help people struggling with their mental health following a car accident. They include:
- The road safety charity, Brake. Brake runs The National Road Victim Service, which can help you with any practical challenges you’re facing, as well as offering emotional support. You can call them on 0808 8000 401.
- RoadPeace offers a variety of services to those seriously injured in road traffic accidents, including a befriending service that puts survivors in touch with others who have been in the same position.
- For urgent support, the Samaritans are available to talk 24/7 on 116 123.
Some charities have been formed specifically to offer support to men in need of mental health support. They include:
- Andysmanclub, a men’s suicide prevention charity dedicated to ending the stigma of men’s mental health through connecting men at peer-to-peer support groups throughout the UK.
- Men Who Talk, which offers men access to online social groups, where they can talk without judgment.
- The Man Cave UK, an inclusive community which aims to ensure that men feel comfortable opening up and talking about their emotional well-being.
In addition to seeking support from a charity, it’s sensible to reach out to your GP, who can assess your mental health needs and refer you to the appropriate NHS service.
Should I get legal advice after a crash affecting my mental health?
You may find that you’d benefit from the support of private mental health practitioners, especially you require treatment urgently. If you decide to bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries, you may be able to include the cost of your treatment in your compensation claim.
Before you take any of these steps, you should seek legal advice from a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors.
Mooneerams Solicitors offer expert, pragmatic and compassionate legal advice and support. In addition to steering you through the personal injury claims process, we’ll help you to find specialists and organisations who can support you on your recovery journey.
We usually run personal injury and psychological injury claims on a No Win No Fee basis, too, so you only pay us anything if your claim succeeds.
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Posted in Personal Injury Claims, Road Traffic Accidents
