Why Are Men’s Mental Health and Emotional Well-being Important?
For a long time, men have been systematically told to suppress their emotions to appear ‘strong’ in front of the world. You must be unemotional and invulnerable to command respect and appear ‘manly’. This stigma has caused much harm to an individual’s mental health and needs to be broken. A man has to tackle his emotions like he tackles the world. Repressing them will not solve them. However, there are not many spaces where men can truly show their feelings even if they want to. Men have to battle society and this stereotype to make people receptive to their pain which mostly results in the dismissal of their experiences and they are left feeling ashamed and guilty. These issues lead men to suffer in silence and destroy their inner selves rather than speak out and solve them. We need to create an ecosystem where men can be vulnerable and feel ok to be sad, lonely, depressed, and hurt.
Why Do Men Struggle to Seek Treatment for Mental and Emotional Issues?
Many people feel indifferent, ashamed, or fearful about seeking help. Many even believe that sharing emotional problems is ‘not masculine’ and prefer to stay away from treatments. The thought of being unworthy, weak, and invisible while experiencing emotional struggles, toxicity, depression, low self-esteem, grief, childhood traumas, or relationship issues leads men toward feelings of hopelessness, and loneliness. Men suffer in silence being unable to get support from their loved ones.
Are Mental Problems More Common in Men Than We Think?
Yes. Many men are dismissive of their mental health problems while others do not talk about their struggles. Society also has issues with its perception of men’s image. The underlying issues result in toxic behaviors such as narcissism, anger issues, irritability, outbursts, feeling inferior, or self-esteem issues. Unable to cope, men turn to social withdrawal, substance abuse, alcoholism, gluttony, excessive screen time, or other behaviors to distract themselves from their issues. What’s worse is that such people tend to appear normal, make jokes, be kind, and take part in social activities that make it hard to identify any depression, especially when the individual himself does not permit anyone, including himself, to acknowledge it.
When is Men’s Mental Health Day?
November 19th is International Men’s Day, recognized by more than 60 countries.
What Advice Would You Give to Men Who Hesitate to Undergo Therapy?
Anyone coming for therapy for the first time is reluctant, hesitant, skeptical, or fearful to some extent. There is also the pressure of speaking about your innermost feelings and letting someone go deep into your thoughts and trauma that people don’t open up soon in the process. I assure you to go and try it. These feelings will stay till you reach the therapist but once you are with them, they will adjust the session as per your comfort and give you the space to open up and talk. However, you can change the therapist if you don’t feel a connection.
As a Man, How Can I Take Care of My Mental Health?
Every gender experiences similar mental issues without major differences. The difference comes with the social acceptance of the issues. Men deal with the ‘You are a man, get on with it.’ narrative which makes it difficult for them to accept and talk about their issues. Once you acknowledge this issue, you can challenge it and become accustomed to your emotions.
Spend time with yourself, meditate, do things you enjoy, talk to yourself about the issues you deal with, and try to find the solutions from your heart. Ask yourself, “If someone asks me how I am, would I be able to answer it with all honesty?” Try to open up with people close to you. Tell them what you feel and if any emotional help you seek from them.
What Are the Common Mental Health Issues Among Men?
Depression, stress, and anxiety. They are often linked with each other to varying degrees. Not being able to speak up and experiencing it alone can worsen the situation. These can impact your intrapersonal relations, workplace, family, and social life.
Often, when we cannot solve these issues and seek help, our mind finds a way to deal with them. Your body will fight it with coping mechanisms such as irritability, alcohol or substance abuse, excessive eating, irregular sleep and eating patterns, excessive screen time, seclusion from people, and more. When your life and relationships start getting affected by these coping mechanisms, the depression increases and the person can expect the worst.
How Do Men’s Mental Health Issues Differ From Women’s?
The mental issues in both genders are similar, difference comes in the way they show it. Men are less likely to express their sadness compared to women. Society also easily adapts to listen to a woman’s pain than to men. Men suffer in silence and thus develop some symptoms as an output. These symptoms could be
- Indecision
- Sleep disturbances
- irritability
- Short temper
- Difficulty in focusing
- Changes in diet
- Physical symptoms such as migraine, gaining or losing weight, hair loss or whitening
- Disinterest in activities you previously enjoyed
- Alcohol or drug use
What Situations Increase the Odds of Mental Health Issues?
Any kind of change in life can impact your mental health. It could be a big event like getting a promotion which can lead to insecurity and unworthiness for the position. Even retirement leads people to suffer from identity issues and boredom. It could be a very miniscule thing such as someone close to you saying anything negative can have adverse emotional effects on you.
What’s the Risk of Men Failing to Get the Help They Need?
The most common risk is death by suicide. The suicide rate of men is more than four times that of women. Men also tend to choose more lethal means to die. Even if a person doesn’t decide it, the emotional struggles impact the physical health leading to cardiac arrests. Currently, any man above the age of 25 is prone to heart attacks, stroke, blood pressure problems, diabetes, and other health issues. It is mandatory to seek help before it gets too late.
Though women have more tendency to commit suicide, Men die by suicide at a rate four times that of women. Men also tend to choose a more lethal means and die at much higher rates than women.
