Paul Galdas, Professor of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences
Paul is an applied health researcher with an interest in the field of men's health.
He began his career as a registered nurse and was awarded a PhD in 2006 from the University of Leeds.
He joined the University of York in 2011 following positions at the University of British Columbia and the University of Sheffield.
email: paul.galdas@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Paul:
What do you do in the field of mental health?
My work is in the field of men's health, with a particular interest in identifying ways to design and deliver mental health services so they are more accessible, acceptable, and effective for men.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
It is well established that men can be reluctant to seek and access support for their mental health. We also know that there is a link between conformity to dominant masculine ideals and higher stigmatisation of mental health problems. Finding ways to design services and interventions that can help men overcome these challenges is immensely rewarding.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
Our current project is called BALM and involves the development, delivery and evaluation of a tailored behavioural activation intervention specifically for men working in frontline roles in the NHS. Doing this at a time of unprecedented challenge in our health service offers immense reward but also presents significant challenges.
What impact do you hope your work is having- or can potentially have?
Mental distress accounts for nearly a quarter of NHS staff sickness absences and this has been exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our aim in BALM is to help improve the common mental health challenges (low mood, anxiety, depression) faced by male frontline NHS workers, who can experience difficulties in acknowledging or seeking help for their concerns.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
If you're struggling, don't be afraid to reach out for help. Like most people, I've experienced challenges with my own mental health over the course of my life and have always found that seeking help - be it from friends, family, a GP, or therapist - has helped me to manage these difficulties better.