Voices of Visible Difference #YoureNotAlone Men’s Campaign

Voices of Visible Difference: Episode 4 Our #YoureNotAlone Men's Campaign

Over the next five days, Changing Faces is going to be focussing on the experiences of men with visible differences. Through their #YoureNotAlone men’s campaign, Nerve Tumours UK will be sharing their voices encouraging more men to seek appearance related support and featuring real stories of men living life with a visible difference. Currently only around 2 in 10 clients Changing Faces supports are men. The campaign is part to highlight existing support to men that are affected.

New research reveals two-thirds of men with a visible difference feel embarrassed, worried or afraid because they look different.

New survey of over 1,000 men with a visible difference by charity Changing Faces reveals:

Three-quarters of men with a visible difference say men are under pressure to meet macho male stereotypes (76%) and that men do not talk about their appearance (75%)

Nearly three-quarters of men (72%) say there should be more conversations among men with visible differences

A quarter (23%) of men with a visible difference feel self-conscious or embarrassed about showing parts of their body

Two-thirds (64%) of men with visible differences felt negative emotions, such as being embarrassed, worried or afraid, when they realised they looked different

Three-quarters of men with a visible difference say men are under pressure to meet macho male stereotypes and a quarter say they feel self-conscious or embarrassed about showing parts of their body. That’s according to the charity Changing Faces whose new research reveals six in ten men with a visible difference agree people react differently to a man with a visible difference than a woman.

The survey conducted by Savanta ComRes of over 1,000 men with a visible difference, such as a mark or scar, highlights how men with a visible difference are contending with a double challenge; handling the reactions of others, and living in a society where talking about appearance is still more acceptable for women than men.

Two-thirds (64%) of men with visible differences felt negative emotions, such as being embarrassed, worried or afraid, when they realised they looked different.

The research found that three-quarters of men with a visible difference say men do not talk about their appearance but agreed that there should be more conversations among men.

The research also found that a quarter (23%) of men with a visible difference feel they are a stronger person because of looking different.

Changing Faces say currently only around 2 in 10 of the clients they support are men and have launched a campaign to encourage more men to come forward and access support services, such as free one-to-one counselling, peer group chat and an online self-help programme.

Hear more from men with visible differences

Changing Faces campaigners and ambassadors have been sharing their experiences of being a man and living life with a visible difference in the latest My Visible Difference podcast out now, guest hosted by Changing Faces ambassador Adam Pearson.