Men's Mental Health: Breaking the silence
In today’s modern where everything has become so fast paced and demanding, the need to safeguard our mental health has become a part of the talks. However, when it comes to men, mental health issues remain in the shadows, overpowered by stigma and stoicism, thus discouraging vulnerability. A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC (Centers for Disease Control)) reported that males make up about 80 percent of all deaths by suicide. The Mental Health America (MHA), on the other hand, suggests that almost 6 million American men experience symptoms of depression, which often go unreported. Despite the significant numbers, there’s surprisingly little discussion about men's mental health.
Factors contributing to the silence:
- Stigma: Society has placed expectations on men that they need to be stoic, self-reliant, and emotionally independent. This easily explains why men have such a tough time in admitting and asking for help.
- Lack of resources: Access to mental health services limited and when available men may not feel comfortable in using them. This can also be due to the lack of men centric therapy services.
- Economic and social pressure: economic and social pressure: Men may often feel that disclosing their mental health struggles can render them jobless making it more challenging for them to seek help. The economic pressures placed on them to provide for their family exacerbates their mental health issues, making it even more difficult for them to reach out for help.
Men with depression often show higher levels of anger, aggression irritability and exhibit fits of rage as they feel that it is a more “culturally acceptable” way. Women on the other hand, experiencing depression, exhibit low moods.
The differences do not end here. Even when it comes to seeking help, women and men are different. Women tend to open up about their problems to their peers, coworkers, friends, and they even go to the extent of getting therapy. Men on the other hand are very reluctant due to many factors as listed above. They channel their mental agony into other activities such as misuse of substances, controlling or abusive behavior towards their partners or through escapist behavior such as focusing more on work or sports.
Major Issues affecting men’s health:
Unemployment is seen as a chronic stressor in men. Whereas in women it did not have much of an impact. This is mainly because work sector has previously been the domain for men. Studies have recently shown that low job security correlated with depression whereas tolerable levels of job stress acted as a protective factor against depression in most men.
- Divorce and family affairs
The severe impact of divorce on men can be affiliated to numerous factors. One important fact is the lack of social support and their emotional resilience. Studies have shown that women tend to have large friend circles on whom they rely on, after the divorce. Men on the other hand rely on their nuclear family for support. Loss of child custody post-divorce has also been linked to increased alcohol consumption.
Festive seasons can often result in financial depression. The cost of the festive season doesn’t co align with its harmonious spirit as most would like to believe. Men need therapy for numerous reasons apart from their staunch beliefs about masculinity. Being inclusive and gender sensitive should be the primary objective going forward. It is about time we realize that men’s mental health is not a myth, and it should be an area for healthcare workers and we as a society should be more aware and attentive to the mental health of our beloved men.
Here are a few tips that’d be useful to combat your mental stress and get back on track.
- Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can be useful in calming the mind down.
- Cutting down on alcohol can significantly reduce depression levels and it would help elevate your mood in the long run
- Socialize. As human beings we are social creatures and interacting with others can help alleviate the feeling of loneliness.
- Speaking to someone you trust. We all need empathy to keep our boat going. Confiding in someone you trust can help us feel heard and inevitably light at heart.
Raising awareness and promoting open discussions are crucial steps in addressing this silent epidemic. This silent struggle has a greater reach, paving its way into workplaces, families and communities. In conclusion addressing men’s mental health isn’t just a matter of personal well-being, but also a societal imperative. It is only through collective efforts that we’ll pave the way for a healthier and happier society where everyone’s mental health is prioritized.