Men often exhibit different symptoms from anxiety and depression than women, making it more difficult to diagnose those conditions in them. — TNS
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month (in the United States), this question couldn’t be more topical.
And while this is a crucial time to shine a spotlight on everyone’s mental health, it’s especially important to recognise the unique challenges that boys and men face.
In our society, we teach boys from a young age to “man up”, suppress their emotions, and to see vulnerability and asking for help as a weakness.
This conditioning has created a significant (and largely ignored) mental health crisis among boys and men, too many of whom have internalised these negative messages.
Fearing judgement or ridicule from their friends, family or colleagues, and believing that their struggles will be seen as a sign of inadequacy, they rarely ask for the help they desperately need.
This needs to change.
The consequences of this stigma are profound.
Men are, on average, four times more likely than women to die by suicide, and more than twice as likely to die from “diseases of despair” such as alcohol or drug overdoses.
And they too often suffer in silence with depression and anxiety.
These conditions tend to manifest differently in men than in women.
While women may express sadness, men are more likely to exhibit anger, irritability, risk-taking behaviour, social self-isolation or substance abuse.
ALSO READ: When men get depressed, their symptoms can be different
When mental health professionals misdiagnose typical male symptoms, the underlying mental health issues remain untreated.
As a result, boys’ and men’s struggles with mental health often lead to relationship problems, difficulties at work, physical health issues, and most tragically, suicide.
True strength lies not in suppressing emotions, but in acknowledging them, understanding them and seeking healthy ways to cope.
It takes tremendous courage – particularly in our society – to recognise the need for help and to ask for it.
We must create a culture where men and boys feel safe and supported when they express their emotions and where they know they won’t be judged or ridiculed.
Here are some steps that each of us can take to break through the stigma and support men’s and boys’ mental health:
- Talk
Encourage open and honest conversations about mental health.
Let the men and boys in your life know that it’s OK to not be OK, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Educate
Learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in men and boys.
The US National Institute of Mental Health has an excellent overview here.
- Advocate
Lobby your local, state and national representatives to support increased access to affordable and culturally sensitive mental health services for men and boys.
- Lead
Men who have struggled with mental health and sought help can share their stories to inspire others and reduce stigma.
- Ask
Make it a habit to check in with the boys and men in your life, not just when they seem to be struggling, but regularly.
Don’t take “fine” for an answer; ask how they’re really doing.
- Listen
When a man opens up, avoid offering unsolicited advice.
Simply listen, offer support and never judge.
- Promote
Encourage healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep – all of which have a significant impact on mental health.
This Mental Health Awareness Month (and every other month of the year), let’s commit to changing the narrative around men’s mental health.
We can create a world where men feel empowered to prioritise their mental well-being, seek help when they need it, and live full and healthy lives.
It’s time to break the silence and let every man know that he’s not alone. – By Armin Brott/Tribune News Service
Armin Brott is the author of Blueprint For Men’s Health, Your Head: An Owner’s Manual and many other works on men’s health.
