It is a state of constant struggle for mental and men, where you need to do many things to keep your mental health in check. Being and staying healthy is everyone’s primary concern.
Everyone is different in this respect, and everyone has ups and downs regarding mental health. Men are different from women also in this regard. Due to many social and behavioral stigmas, men tend not to talk about their mental health.
They are more prone to clamming up, leaving little to no room for discussing their mental state and health. Some of them even view talking about it as a sign of weakness. Showing that weakness is, to most, an unnecessary risk that they will not take. But there are many benefits to talking about your mental health.
In this article, we will discuss why need to talk about mental health and men.
Should Men Talk about mental health
The importance of mental health and men is often forgotten, and it should go alongside the importance of physical health. Only a good combination of those two means that a person can achieve good health, be it male or female.
If a person decides not to talk about their mental health or open up, it can lead to some unforeseen consequences.
There are many physical or mental illnesses that men can experience, such as:
- depression
- PTSD- post-traumatic stress disorder
- substance abuse
- anxiety
- schizophrenia
When a man doesn’t address his mental health issues, there can be unforeseen problem. This is primarily because these mental health symptoms in men need to be recognized in the early stages. This means that it can become a severe issue, or even lead to suicide if the person doesn’t want to open up or acknowledge their existence.
This is primarily true for mental health and men, since they are more prone to avoiding discussing their mental state. As this may be a sign of neglect toward their mental betterment, it is also a sign that social stigmas have a firm grip on men’s behavior and psyche.
Why men need to talk about Depression and Mental Health
Depression is a state of mind that grips most of the world’s population. Many things cause mental illness in men. Most of them are directly connected to everyday life and the environment.
It can also be due to low self esteem and leads to an inability to cope with everyday problems. Although it is treatable with proper guidance and medication, in some cases, it is tough to cope with depression.
The first thing about depression is learning to admit you need help. This is why most men fail to accept their current mental situation.
They will, more often than not, not even recognize this as a true problem, according to recent studies. Depression in men can be shown through symptoms such as aggressiveness and irritability, disinterest in work or hobbies, sleep issues, and other physical symptoms. Learning to accept and recognize these behavioral changes can be the first step towards your mental betterment.
Men’s mental health stigmas
Stigmas for mental health and men are very strong in men. It represents men’s point of view on low self esteem and self worth. Boys are encouraged not to express strong emotions and feelings from a young age.
This is especially true when it comes to depression, feeling anxious, or overwhelmed. And it may also have a detrimental effect on the state of their future mental health.
Men are prone not to express their emotions and are more likely not to recognize they even have mental health problems. Most men, mainly grownups, believe they can fight mental issues and negative emotions through hard work or on their own.
This can become very tricky, as you are probably not aware of the severity of the situation you are currently in. Therefore it is always an excellent strategy to seek help from a therapist.
Looking for a therapist
Should men talk about mental health issues with a therapist? Going to a therapist can have many benefits. One of them is the possibility for even the toughest men to express their feelings and emotions. It can be very beneficial since a skilled therapist can evaluate if you are suffering from depression or other mental illnesses.
It is also a good way to let out some of the pent-up emotions inside and to get things from your chest. If you are not keen on going to the therapist in person, you can always get help from your home. Choosing an online therapy provider brings all the benefits of a regular one, but you can now do it from the comfort of your own home.
Online therapy sessions are an excellent way to feel relieved and under less pressure, since you will be going to therapy from the comfort of your home.
Mental Health and Substance abuse in men
Substance abuse is a very common practice in modern men. It is their mechanism to cope with problems and negative emotions in life. According to a study, men are far more prone to excessive use of alcohol and drugs.
In 2020 more than 20% of the male population above the age of 12 are using some kind of drug. More than 15% of the male population is prone to substance abuse disorder. These high numbers are showing men are more prone to dopamine-triggering activities.
Competitive hobbies, risky activities, drinking alcohol, drugs, or sexual activity are the most prominent ones. Abusive use of any of them can negatively impact not only your mental health but your physical one as well. It can lead to further substance abuse and can become a very dangerous prospect.
This is one of the reasons why talking about mental issues can be a lifesaver.
Wrap Up
There are many reasons why men need to talk about mental health. They are very crucial to stop depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and others. Underestimating the power of friendly or professional help can negatively affect your well-being. There is no shame in admitting you need help, and it is always the most challenging step in reaching good mental and physical health.
Ken Weiss is a health blogger who is passionate about natural and holistic cures for men’s health issues. He is the founder of menshealthcures.com
