Mental health falls under general wellbeing but has been relatively a taboo topic when discussing men’s health. Traditionally, society would often demand that a man be a macho man who had no emotional feelings. In this tradition, many men have been intimidated to appear weak by their mental expressions. Such pressure from the society has turned out to be alarming, as more men end up suffering in silence and amazingly end up making suicidal attempts. The stigma about mental health exists in men. This men’s mental health month, a time when that cause is thrashed out to be more openly discussed, it definitely needs attention.
Understanding Men’s Mental Health Issues
The hardest part that men have regarding treating mental illness is the stigma attached when one seeks care. Most young boys are taught very early in life that expressions of emotions are a weakness. These boys bottle up their struggles. Once these young boys become men, they do not have the courage to express themselves over their mental health issues due to the fear that people will judge them or mock them.
It is this cultural norm that prevents men from seeking their much-needed help, which in return exacerbates their mental health issues over time.
Most males lack knowledge concerning symptoms associated with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue. Men suffer in silence; they are not publicizing symptoms attributed to them. Irritability, anger, and substance abuse have not diagnosed the acts behind the situation, for they are facts of underlying mental health.
Untreated mental issues can lead to very dismal consequences. In contrast, it is noticed that men are relatively more suicide-prone as opposed to women. As a matter of fact, some estimations state that men are four times more prone to suicide. Such dire statistics call for urgent cries for better support structures that heed to the needs of men.
Society and the role of traditional masculinity:
Ideally, the old-fashioned man is one of the biggest contributors to the present-day malady of mental health among men. The slogans “man up” or “boys don’t cry” remind one that a man should not cry or be vulnerable. For years now, this fact has been pounded into the mind of a man that psychological issues are symptoms of weakness, and, therefore, few believe saying it would make a man emasculated.
These poisonous stereotypes will further isolate the men, making them think that they are the only ones to be going through such ‘struggles’. However, issues of mental health are but panacea universal; no one would want to face such issues alone. Redefining masculinity and open emotional vulnerability must be cherished as a virtue rather than a vice.
Nor does it get any better. Modish pressures in most lives-demands in their careers, financial stress, and of course, intimate relationship expectations-means the problem only shifts on this one. The traditional male role of provider or protector could be quite stressful, especially for those who feel they are not doing enough. Added to a stigma that prevents them from seeking help, this sets the stage for a vicious cycle: men in pain who do not reach out.
Barriers in Seeking Help
Though mental illness issues have received widespread awareness today, the main controversy is that men are very highly dissuaded from helping themselves. According to studies done on research, males are much less likely to report to professional counseling on mental health issues compared to females. Some of the common barriers include:
Fear of condemnation: The males fear that the discussion of their problems may give them a label that positions them as weak and incapable.
Lack of information: In most cases, the males fail to realize what they are undergoing is a mental health-related disorder or don’t know where to look for assistance.
Cultural expectations: the general assumption that everything can be done by a man on his own means that often male patient was discouraged from seeking help.
Mental health services, in many areas, are not accessible. This is observable in that men, for both financial reasons and due to geographical ones or because services for them are not available at all, are not accessible.
Breaking the Stigma: Men’s Mental Health Month
This is an extremely crucial opportunity to break the stigmas surrounding men’s mental health and have open discussions regarding it. Every year in November, people observe a dedicated month of Men’s Mental Health Month with the intention of bringing awareness about the mental health issues currently affecting the male population and encourages them to find proper aid.
It will be essential to tag a message for this month: In fact, seeking actual help is the sign of strength and not a sign of weakness. We need to make the males realize that such fights are not solitary, and they can be assisted. We can refine the culture of vulnerability by sharing the stories of men who became victims of mental health issues and started the prescribed fight. Workplace, teams, and community organizations can facilitate the normal discussions on mental health. Providing any kinds of mental health resources or hosting such workshops on mental health will create the urge in men to take action for their mental health. Another robust way forward is providing safety spaces where men can quite freely talk with no fear and judgment, thus promoting mental well-being.
Concrete Actions Men Can Engage in for Better Mental Health
In case mental issues are happening to you or to some people, here are some things that men can do to cope up with their wellness:
Share with another: Sometimes, perhaps with a friend, family member, or even therapist, talking about what’s going on inside can be the biggest source of comfort. It’s time to finally crack open that silence and let others in.
Do exercises daily: many research studies documented their reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. A walk or jog can perk up an individual’s mood as well as help knock through stresses. Self-care is not selfish at all. Exercise through hobbies or just unwinding and paying attention to yourself; this helps release the stress and then boosts up your mental level. You need to take professional help when mental health disrupts your daily lifestyle. Professional therapists and counselors assist you with difficult feelings and educate you about the strategy that you can use to overcome them. Join a support group: Many times, just having other people who have been through the same sorts of things is helpful. There are several groups for men dealing with mental health conditions.
Conclusion: Handing Over the New Decade to Mental Health Awareness for Men
Whenever the topic of mental health appears relating to men, it is indeed one overshadowed, yet still crying out for urgent attention. To mark men’s mental health month, let’s speak out against unhelpful societal expectations, giving men’s mental wellbeing due priority. Help break the silence in an open conversation, and resource them on a path of empowerment towards seeking support they rightly deserve. Remember that mental health is health-there is nothing shameful to its care.
