Mental health is an important part of our well-being, and it should be
treated as such. However, it is often overlooked especially in
men. Societal norms have contributed to the lack of prioritization of men’s
mental health and this has some detrimental effects on individuals
and communities as well. As June - which is men’s mental health month - comes to
an end, let us look into the importance of men’s mental health and, the challenges
they may come across, while also looking at ways to address the issue.
Understanding Men’s Mental Health
Firstly, we need to understand what we mean by men’s mental health. This involves their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health ends up affecting how men think, feel, and act. This can in turn affect and influence the way they handle stress, relate to the people around them, and the decisions they make. We grow up being taught that men should always be strong and handle everything around them without showing weakness. In African countries especially, men are discouraged from emotional expression because it may show weakness.
This stereotype of men having to be strong and unemotional
creates stigma around the topic. Therefore, it discourages men from speaking up
and seeking help even when they need it. The fear of being perceived as weak
engulfs them hence avoiding vulnerability altogether. According to a
study by Vogel
et al, men are less likely than women to seek help for
mental health issues because of concerns about social stigma and the desire to
conform to masculinity.
Some Ignored Challenges Men Face with Mental Health
Work-Related Stress: Men often face high stress levels due to
the pressure and expectations from their places of work. Melchior mentions mostly, this also
arises from the need and pressure to be breadwinners and can lead to burnout,
anxiety, and even depression.
Social Isolation: Due to
the societal pressure on men to be self-reliant and strong, they may end up
experiencing isolation. The lack of social support brings about feelings of
loneliness and depression, as Smith et al
purport in their study.
Drug Abuse: Men are
prone to substance abuse since it becomes an outlet for coping with their
mental health issues. According to an article by Grant et al,
substance abuse can deteriorate mental health and worse, lead
to a lifelong cycle of addiction.
The Impact of Ignoring Mental Health Issues
There are several consequences of ignoring mental health issues
and leaving them untreated. Some of them can lead to outcomes such as:
Suicide: According to WHO, the global suicide rate for men is nearly twice
that of women. This is an alarming statistic and emphasizes the point
on why men’s mental health should continue to be
addressed with urgency.
Physical Health Issues:
Mental health issues can manifest physically in the human body and can lead to
chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and
heart disease. That there is
a mind-body connection, should be important enough to make the issue serious
enough.
Relationship Difficulties:
Mental health issues can lead to relationship strain with friends, family, and
even colleagues. This is because men who have mental health issues find
it difficult to communicate, have intimacy, and solve conflicts.
Why Men’s Mental Health Shouldn’t be Ignored
Addressing mental health issues and concerns is necessary for
various reasons:
Improved Quality of Life:
When men receive proper mental health care, it reflects on their quality of
life which also significantly improves. They are
happier and can handle stress and maintain their relationships while also
achieving their goals.
Reduced Healthcare Costs:
Early realization of the need for mental health care can reduce the charges
that may come with additional severe conditions from lack of care.
Community and Belonging:
Healthy individuals, men to be specific contribute to healthy and strong communities around
them. By taking care of their mental
health, they essentially care for all those around them as well.
Steps to Promote Men’s Mental Health
Some of the steps we can all take to ensure men’s mental health
is put into consideration include:
Raising Awareness: We
can create or even participate in campaigns that help educate communities about
men’s mental health. We can also normalize having conversations about the topic
where men feel supported enough to open up and be vulnerable.
Access to Resources: Ensuring
that mental health resources are readily available and accessible is crucial to
ensuring healthy men all around. Such resources include counseling and therapy
services, support groups, and readily available numbers to call.
Communication: Openly
communicating about things is good for any relationship, hence why
creating safe spaces for men to communicate and express their emotions is important.
They need to feel loved and not judged, no matter what they are going through.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms:
Education about mental health is as important as promoting healthy mechanisms in which men can
cope with mental health issues. Healthy coping mechanisms include exercise,
taking up hobbies, and mindfulness.
Final Thoughts
We should not overlook men’s mental health as it is a necessary
part of life. The stigma and challenges men face are enough to necessitate
dialogue out of this matter. Let us
continue to raise awareness and encourage open communication among other
healthy ways of coping, to continue to
foster great states of mental
well-being for men. Considering men is
considering society in general after all.
Cheers to healthy men in society 🥂
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