Breaking the Silence: Exploring Men’s Mental Health

Men’s Mental Health, why does it matter? The idea that a “real man” should suffer in silence when it comes to mental health has been imposed on men for too long. This is the kind of perception that discourages men from seeking much-needed help when dealing with mental health challenges.

According to the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, approximately one million men suffer from major depression in Canada each year. Additionally, only 30% of the people seeking professional help for mental health challenges are men. These are the kinds of issues we should talk about more.

UNDERSTANDING MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

The conversation about men’s mental health is gaining momentum each day. Men face certain challenges that are unique to them when it comes to mental health. Most of these challenges are propagated by the societies we live in. They are deep-rooted conscious and subconscious perceptions.

Societal and cultural beliefs of how men should or should not respond to their mental health issues and other gender norms are some of the unhealthy and unhelpful beliefs that contribute to the stigma.

WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES FACED BY MEN?

When it comes to men’s mental health, we should strive to understand the unique challenges that men face to figure out how we can navigate these challenges for better outcomes. As a society, we lose when we encourage these negative perceptions about such a sensitive issue.

WHAT IS THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH?

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health is one of the biggest barriers to progress in this area. Most men are groomed to be stoic and tough even when in distress. Showing vulnerability is often perceived as a sign of weakness in men.

Many men will be hesitant to seek mental health support for fear of being considered weak. This stigma does not only exist as a social stigma. Most men also have self-stigma, or perceived stigma which can build feelings of inadequacy and worsen their self-esteem.

Once we do away with the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, we will achieve more sustainable progress. We should have open conversations about this at every level of our society, be it at work, in schools, or at home.

RELUCTANCE TO SEEK HELP

Many studies conducted on the number of men seeking mental support compared to the number of women show a big disparity. Many men choose not to seek professional help because of various reasons. The stigma attached to mental health in men and society’s negative view of vulnerability towards men are some of the key reasons.

Anger and aggression are seen as being more acceptable than vulnerability. Such perceptions cause most men to suppress their feelings instead of seeking professional help. This increases the severity of mental condition, at times leading to a crisis.

PRESSURE TO SUCCEED

In most societies, men are burdened by the pressure to succeed in various aspects of their lives such as careers, relationships, and wealth generation. This pressure to succeed often leads to stress and anxiety.

Men who underachieve in these areas are usually deemed worthless by society and castigated. This, coupled with their reluctance to seek help, is a key driver of the high rate of suicide in men.

BREAKING THE SILENCE: ENCOURAGING MEN TO SEEK HELP

Therapy plays a vital role in helping people overcome mental health challenges. Denying any individual the chance to try to better themselves whether directly or by propagating negative beliefs is highly unfair. We should encourage men to seek help without fear of judgment by increasing awareness of the benefits of therapy. 

Additionally, we should provide safe spaces for men to be open and deconstruct toxic masculinity opinions on men seeking help. Men who have overcome mental health challenges can act as advocates and champions of mental health. This will encourage others who are reluctant to seek help and better themselves.

At Support & Growth, we believe in diversity and inclusion in mental healthcare. We understand the stigma associated with mental health conditions in men and believe that everyone deserves access to mental support. If you are experiencing mental distress or you just want growth in various aspects of your life, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of experienced and qualified therapists in Canada will provide personalized help suitable for your mental Health care.