Mens Mental Health, Let’s Talk About It

Summary

The article emphasizes the urgent need to address the high rates of male suicide and mental health issues, attributing these problems to societal expectations of masculinity and calling for a cultural shift to encourage men to express their emotions openly and seek help.

Abstract

The article "Mens Mental Health, Let’s Talk About It" sheds light on the alarming rates of suicide among men, noting that they are 3.5 times more likely to take their own lives than women, with over 70% of suicide deaths in 2019 being white men. It underscores the lack of recognition of mental health struggles within the male population, where men are often underdiagnosed due to societal norms that discourage emotional expression and seeking help. The piece advocates for a cultural overhaul to dismantle traditional gender roles that stigmatize male vulnerability, proposing that open discussions are the first step towards validating men's mental health experiences and implementing supportive systems. It argues that embracing emotional honesty and rejecting toxic masculinity can lead to a healthier society that allows men to be vulnerable without judgment.

Opinions

The author believes that the cultural expectations of men to be "strong" and "tough" contribute significantly to their mental health struggles.
The article suggests that the underdiagnosis of depression in men is

The desperate need to change culture, and address the issues.

Image by [Nathan Cowley] via [Pexels] copyright free

It is no secret that men deal with mental health issues. Like all people, men struggle with the inner demons that lie await on the inside. Although most of society remain in the dark and are unaware of the alarming statistics that reveal the extent of mental health issues amongst men. We are losing fathers, sons, husbands, brothers and friends daily. It’s time that we see the truth for what it is, and begin to truly address this serious issue.

Men are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than women. With over 47,000 deaths caused by suicide in 2019, 70% of that figure is made up of white men. These statistics are extremely alarming, and it isn’t just in one year. In recorded data from 1999–2019, men were the largest cohort of individuals committing suicide. We have seen these trends for multiple decades, yet little is being said or done about it.

Why are men taking their own life at such high rates?

This is a complicated and under-researched question. However, several reports and studies would suggest that there is a clear link between mental health and suicide. 1 in 5 men will experience depression or anxiety within their lifetime. And a lot of men are underdiagnosed with mental health issues more commonly, depression. Unfortunately, men are less likely to seek out help due to tendencies to deny illness, a lack of self-monitoring and poor emotional regulation. A result of this is a significantly less frequent diagnosis of mental health issues amongst men,

What does culture have to do with it?

Culture has a significant part to play in mental health amongst men. Standard and current gender roles ultimately discourage emotional expression and regulation. This means that we have the majority of men living lives without truly expressing how they feel, and not being able to be open and honest about it. This causes a chain reaction which links in with the point listed above. The culture demands that “men be men” and display strength, a tough outer shell and true courage. This could be attributed as part of toxic masculinity which drives men away from seeking help, displaying vulnerability, and engaging in self-care.

How do we change this?

The first step we can all make in advancing help and support for men is to TALK about it. There is very little discussion on mental health amongst men, and we need there to be. Discussion promotes acknowledgement of the issue, acknowledgement encourages change, and change implements systems and strategies of support. This support is what men need.

The second thing we can all do is begin to break down typical masculinity traits and fixed gender roles within society. Men aren’t always meant to be “strong” or “tough”. This very notion promotes inequality and designs a system where men are entrapped in. All men feel emotion. And all men have experienced a time where they wish they could scream it out from the rooftops that they’re not okay. All men want a hug, and for someone to come alongside them and be a source of comfort. Men do feel these things, but these ways are not accepted in society.

The change starts with you. Regardless of gender, race, background or history. Vulnerability is a beautiful thing, it’s a brave thing. And our world needs to start uplifting and praising men for opening up and sharing their inner struggles. There is a very serious issue with mental health amongst men. It’s an issue that is wide-ranging and extremely complex. But the battle is not lost. We can create change by talking about the issues and changing the culture.

Men are sensitive, beautiful and precious beings. And like the rest of us, they matter.