Breaking The Silence on Men’s Mental Health

Even though statistics show that women are diagnosed with mental health disorders more often than men, substance abuse cases and incidences of suicide are predominately higher among men. Johns Hopkins reports that men are four times as likely to succeed in a suicide attempt, than women. This information is only one of many confirmations that men delay seeking help and treatment for their mental health often. In the 2021 data report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 6 million adult men in the U.S. suffer from some form of mental illness each year, and 1 in 5 men aged 18-25 experience symptoms of depression at some point. June is Men’s Mental Health Month, so we’re exploring the different ways that mental health problems can present for men and the importance of ending the stigma around men seeking support for their mental health.
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Ending the stigma around men’s mental health

Men are often reluctant to talk about their feelings or seek support, even though it’s essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced life. The result is that guys end up taking on a lot of unnecessary (and sometimes harmful) risks because they feel like they have no other option. But change is possible. By getting more men to talk about mental health issues in an open way, we can encourage more guys to address these issues head-on and get help when needed. So why do men shy away from talking about their mental health? There are a few reasons…

• They don’t want to appear weak - Many men believe that seeking help means that they're not meeting the society-constructed expectations as a man. Men often believe that admitting vulnerability is seen as a weakness that puts their masculine identity at risk. This likely stems from an early age, as boys tend to be raised with a set of emotion suppressing standards that include mantras like “be strong”, “shake it off”, “man up”, and “boys don’t cry”. Overall, there is very little in our current culture that encourages men (and young boys) to have open discussions about their feelings and emotions. This creates a stigma for men who are struggling with mental health and can lead them to find ways of coping that are unhealthy, destructive, and even life-threatening.

• Men experience different symptoms - Women will often express more emotions in general, which can help identify mental health disorders like depression and anxiety faster. Men, however, express mental distress in a completely different way. Anger, irritability, and aggression are some of the symptoms of depression in men. These are often shrugged off as ‘normal’ cis-masculine behaviors, or “just the way he is”. When in fact, these are usually symptoms of much deeper issues.

• Mental health campaigns don’t target men well - Many mental health campaigns focus on inclusive language, which is a great thing. Sometimes, however, it takes a direct message to make an impact. There are too few of these targeted messages for men, which makes it easy for men to continue brushing aside their symptoms until they reach a breaking point.  
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Supporting men’s mental health  

Understanding that men experience all the same emotions women do and are just as vulnerable to stress and mental health disorders as women is one of the first steps in breaking the stigma around men’s mental health. The next step is to normalize talking about it. “Getting in touch with your feminine side” has been an off-handed remark for years as a way of referring to men expressing their emotions or talking about their feelings. This expression is not only in poor taste, but is also completely untrue. There is nothing inherently feminine about expressing your true feelings or prioritizing mental health, especially when it can have such a huge impact on your physical health.

Here’s what you can do for yourself or a loved one who is struggling with their mental health:

• Recognize the ways stress can sneak up on you, and when it could become a problem.

• Learn healthy coping habits for managing stress.

• Prioritize your sleep.

• Men are more likely to develop a substance abuse problem as a result of untreated mental health. Therefore it's important to understand how to recognize when a habit could become a problem.

• Start a conversation. Don’t be afraid to talk about your own experiences, and let others know that they aren’t alone in their struggles.
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Getting professional support

Men are not immune to stress and emotions. Though self-care is important, there is a great deal of success with seeking professional support with therapy. Our digital age makes it easier than ever to receive quality mental health services in ways that are the most convenient for you. Therapy has many benefits that range from managing the symptoms of mental health disorders to guiding the healing process from previous trauma and current stress. If you find yourself wavering on whether therapy is right for you, consider these top five reasons you shouldn’t avoid it.

If you or someone you know is in the California or Nevada areas is struggling with mental health, Medens has licensed counselors and therapists ready to help. Reach out to us by phone or text at (833) 624-5400, or by filling out our online contact form.

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^Disclaimer:

^{‍The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical or mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who is qualified to give you safe, professional, and ethical advice regarding your mental health.}

^{If you or someone you are responsible for is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should call 9-1-1 and/or take them to the nearest emergency room.}