In this month’s Men’s Health Awareness Month, let us remember that health is a very broad topic. It encompasses not only physical but also mental health. Men’s mental health is just as essential as any other gender’s. Mental illness affects men as well. They may show the signs and symptoms differently, but the illness is still there.
What impact does men’s mental health have?
Every year, nearly 6 million American males suffer from depression (NIMH, 2005). Despite this, psychologists have observed that men are much less likely than women to seek help for any mental health issue, including depression. In the United States, more than four times as many males as women commit suicide. According to Mental Health America, 90 percent of the 3.5 million people diagnosed with schizophrenia in the United States before the age of 30 are men.
All of these figures are more than just numbers. This information indicates that these men’s lives have been impacted, including their relationships and work.
According to Bryant-Bedell and Waite’s (2010) research, middle-aged men with depression actively sought emotional support, wanting to share these feelings with loved ones. Unfortunately, these men were unsure how to begin the conversation and were embarrassed to discuss their own feelings. Liang and George (2012) discovered that some males with depression desired to talk to family or friends about their personal struggles, but that they had few or no people in their social networks with whom they felt comfortable sharing their thoughts. These studies show that men grow estranged from their friends and families as a result of mental health problems, causing relationship troubles.
Workers in male-dominated workforce groups have a greater risk of depression (Rosche et al. 2016). Anxiety is also not new to working men. This means that the mental health of workers in male-dominated groups must be addressed. Uncertain job roles, job insecurity, continual overtime, work overload, and pressure, among other things, are the most typical causes of job stress that lead to depression and anxiety. (To learn more about how to become an anxiety-reducing leader, read your free eBook here.)
Mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, have significant impacts not only on the person who has been diagnosed, but also on their family, friends, and coworkers. Furthermore, if the person with mental health issues works, it might have a direct influence on his employer’s business due to increased absenteeism and decreased productivity. This is why it is very important for us to be more aware of men’s mental health. For men, do not forget to take care of yourselves too, especially your mental health. Practice some self-care behaviors, such as the ones listed below.
Self-care for Men’s Mental Health
Here are a few tips on what men can do for their own mental health self-care.
Fitness
Fitness doesn’t have to be about being sexy. A simple physical activity like walking on the way to your work is enough already. This simple physical activity can help you elevate your mood by releasing endorphins in your body. In this way, aside from being physically healthy from your daily walks, self-care for your mental health is also done.
Journaling
Opening up with your family and friends may be hard. If you’re one of those people who have trouble talking about their feelings with others, try journaling. Write down everything, your thoughts, and your feelings. You can at least express your emotions about it with this.
Therapy
Due to men’s mental health stigma and masculinity issues, a lot of men nowadays are afraid to seek therapy or any professional help for their mental health. But let us be reminded that seeking help is acceptable, as is not being okay (even if you are a man). If we don’t normalize going to a psychologist or therapist, the statistics that we have just mentioned above will continue rising up.
Let us remember the importance of mental health not only this month but every day. Not just for men, not just for women, but for everyone, regardless of gender orientation. Let us work together to avoid being part of the statistics around mental health issues. There is help available. Do not be afraid to seek professional help or to refer someone who needs help to a professional. Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here.
References
Beyond blue. Beyond Blue. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men/what-causes-anxiety-and-depression-in-men/men-in-the-workplace.
Bryant-Bedell K., Waite R. (2010). Understanding major depressive disorder among middle-aged African American men. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(9), 2050–2060.
Infographic: Mental health for men. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men.
Liang T. K. L., George T. S. (2012). Men’s experiences of depression and the family’s role in gender socialization: A phenomenological study from urban South India. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 43(1), 93–132.
National Institute of Mental Health. Real Men. Real Depression. Web site retrieved June 15, 2005: http://menanddepression.nimh.nih.gov. Washington, DC: National Institute of Mental Health.
Probasco, W. (2021, June 9). Self-care for men: A complete guide to feeling your best. The Manual. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.themanual.com/culture/self-care-for-men-guide/.
Roche, A. M., Pidd, K., Fischer, J. A., Lee, N., Scarfe, A., & Kostadinov, V. (2016). Men, Work, and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Depression in Male-dominated Industries and Occupations. Safety and health at work, 7(4), 268–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2016.04.005
