June is Men’s Mental Health Month, a time that is set aside to raise awareness about the mental health concerns of men and the barriers they face in getting care. Unfortunately, mental illness is often a topic that is considered taboo for men to discuss or admit to experiencing. At Highland Hospital, in Charleston, West Virginia, we want to make it easier for men and their loved ones to recognize the signs of a mental health concern and to feel more comfortable reaching out for help.
Statistics About Men’s Mental Health
It is important to remember that men make up half of the population and they can experience mental health struggles, just like anyone else:
- Men account for 10 percent of patients with bulimia and anorexia.
- Over 6 million men experience depression each year.
- More than 3 million men have some form of phobia.
- Men and women are equally likely to experience bipolar disorder, a condition that impacts 2.3 million Americans.
- 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia before age 30 are men.
Barriers to Men Getting Mental Health Support
There isn’t just one thing that gets in the way of men getting the help they need to preserve their mental health. There are several different problems that all make it harder for men to manage their mental well-being:
- Stigma. In general, there is a stigma against admitting to having mental health struggles. This stigma exists within the whole of society, but for men in particular, there can be additional stigma associated with admitting that they need help. Society puts expectations on men that they be “strong” and not ask for help. Men have historically been allowed to feel anger, but not sadness, happiness, fearfulness, or any other emotions.
- Encouraged use of substances. It is often considered “manly” for men to drink large amounts of alcohol, and this might even be recommended as a coping skill to manage trauma and stress. The use of alcohol and other drugs is strongly correlated to a higher risk for developing mental illness and for following through on suicidal thoughts.
- Demands that men “provide” for their families. It is less acceptable for a man to take time off work to go to therapy or get treatment because they are expected to be working and earning a living to support their family.
- Isolation. Because of differences in how men and women build relationships, women are far more likely to have strong social safety nets, whereas men often have few close friendships. Widowers and men who have been divorced are particularly likely to struggle with isolation and not having the social supports they need.
- Failure to recognize symptoms. Just as boys and girls with ADHD may present differently, a man who is depressed, anxious, traumatized, etc., may present differently than a woman who is struggling with the same condition. As a result, men and the professionals treating them may not recognize their mental illness for what it is. This may be part of the reason why fewer men than women are diagnosed with depression, but men are far more likely to die by suicide. Women with depression are more likely to be tearful, sad, have feelings of guilt, and experience changes in appetite. While men may have those symptoms of depression, in the early stages of the disease, the people around them are more likely to see irritability, anger/hostility, aggressiveness, sometimes to the point of abuse, risk-taking behaviors, or escapism.
Men and Suicide
As mentioned previously, men are at especially high risk for suicide. This is particularly true for older, white males, who have the highest rate of suicide of any group. Men are less likely to receive life-saving mental health treatment and are more likely to use fatal means when attempting suicide, such as guns. If you are concerned that a man in your life is at risk for suicide, take a look at the blog we previously shared on this topic for tips for helping them stay safe.
Ways Men Can Manage Their Mental Health
When men get professional support for their mental health, they can develop skills including:
- Better understanding of their own emotions
- Healthier coping strategies
- Stress management techniques
- Better problem-solving skills
- New ways to think about situations
- Ideas for achieving goals they have for themselves
- Leaning on emotional supports in their life
- Self-care strategies like hobbies and time with people they love
- Creating structure and routine in their life to promote well-being
If you don’t currently have mental health support, you can talk to your primary care doctor or reach out to the National Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. A trained crisis counselor will respond to your questions in real time and help you find local resources.
At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health, we want men to know that it is safe to reach out for help and that it takes strength and courage to do so. We want to help you through whatever mental health struggles you are facing.
