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Mental health is a topic to be taken seriously. Often, mental health as a whole can be overlooked due to its lack of physical symptoms. People can assume that simply because you can’t see the person struggling, it must not be real.
This is simply not the case, however. Mental health is a very real concern for many people who struggle daily. Often those struggling will need medical assistance of some sort. Though there are many reasons you need health insurance, the coverage for therapy and other mental health needs is a huge benefit.
Even with all the benefits of treatment, many fail to seek it because of the lack of understanding that surrounds mental health. This applies to both men and women, but more often than not, men struggle even more with admitting they have a concern and may need help.
Why is men’s mental health more of a struggle?
Many men view themselves in traditional gender roles. They are meant to be the breadwinner for their family and are meant to not show their emotions and stay tough.
The issue that surrounds the subject of men’s mental health is often the fear of seeming weak. This is a common reason that men admit they do not want to speak up about what they are feeling.
Because there seems to be a stigma that ties struggling with mental health to being weak, men choose to stay silent in order to keep their strong persona.
The idea of speaking about feelings, admitting they need someone’s assistance, or being viewed as less masculine is a turn off for many men when it comes to voicing concerns for themselves. They fear the stigma of seeming less manly because of their mental health needs.
This, of course, is not the case, as we know. Struggling with something such as anxiety or depression does not make a person weak. If anything, they are truly stronger than we realize because of the battle they fight daily with themselves.
Common Causes of Mental Health Struggles in Men
Without proper therapy and treatment, there isn’t a way to truly pinpoint the cause of someone’s mental health issues, but there are some factors that have commonly been found to potentially cause men’s struggles.
Some of the causes are typically:
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Financial struggles
- Being overworked or working in poor conditions
- Genetic predisposition
There are many other factors that can lead to mental health problems, and it could also be a mixture of multiple factors.
Why is it important to make men feel comfortable?
There are 6 million men in the United States per year who are affected by depression. Men also account for half of the 2.3 million Americans affected by bipolar disorder.
Male suicide rates have consistently been on the rise since 2000. It has become the seventh leading cause of death for males, and men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Men are more likely to develop an addiction such as to alcohol or drugs than women. Because of this, men are more than 50 percent more likely to die of alcohol-related causes.
With statistics like those, it’s clear men need to be able to speak about their mental health needs. Without a strong support system for them, numbers will only continue to rise.
Reducing the stigma of being weak for struggling and encouraging men to seek treatment if they feel they need it can help begin the decline of men who end their lives because of mental health struggles left untreated.
Warning Signs to Pay Attention to
If you’re worried you or someone you know may be struggling with their mental health, here are some common signs men will exhibit:
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol – This can sometimes be a form of self-medicating men take in order to avoid the more difficult conversation they truly need to have.
- Increased aggression or anger – Feeling like someone is struggling alone may take a toll on them and cause them to act out in ways they normally wouldn’t.
- Decreased energy levels – Depression is a very common cause of decreased energy levels. However, there are other mental health struggles that can also cause this. Low energy levels lasting for an extended period of time can be a warning sign of a deeper issue.
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness – Mental health struggles can often cause people to forget their self-worth. This can lead to strong feelings such as thinking the world would be a better place without them, that they are a burden on others, or they have nothing left to live for.
- Changes in sleeping patterns – Different mental illnesses can show themselves in different ways when it comes to sleeping. Some people may greatly increase the amount of sleep they get on a day-to-day basis. Others may have extreme trouble sleeping at all. Either way, a big change to sleeping patterns can be a warning sign something more is going on.
- Pushing away those who are close – There are many reasons someone with mental health struggles pushes those they love away. They may feel they are unlovable, they may feel like a burden, or they may just think it is easier if they are alone.
There are many other symptoms that someone who is struggling may exhibit, but the important thing is to pay attention. If you notice something off about someone you care about, or even if you yourself are feeling off, don’t hesitate to speak up about it.
You may think you’re overreacting, but your possible overreaction may make all the difference.
Men’s Mental Health Matters
Mental health is important no matter who it is affecting. But it’s vital to break the stigma of men’s mental health needs especially.
There is no reason men need to feel weak or less like a man for asking for help if they need it. Anyone can struggle with their mental health, and there is no shame or weakness in that struggle.
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This content is brought to you by Anne Davis.
Photo: Shutterstock