Getting mental health support can be difficult for anyone, but men may have a challenging time accepting the help and feel they need to “toughen up.”
However, the male mental health stigma is slowly changing, which can help men feel okay about getting the help they may need. While society can put pressure on men to always be strong, self-sufficient, capable, and reserved in their emotions, the reality is that men are unbreakable. And when men struggle with their mental health, it’s essential they feel comfortable and supported in seeking the care they need.
Here’s a brief guide on when mental health conditions men struggle with and how the stigma is changing.
What Mental Health Conditions do Men Have?
Every person experiences difficult moments in life that may need someone else’s help to get through. Although men report mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety at a lower rate than women, they die by suicide 3.88 times more often than women.
While men’s mental illnesses typically go undiagnosed, many do suffer from mental health conditions such as:
- Depression
- Substance Abuse
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
How Is the Mental Health Stigma for Men Changing?
The male mental health stigma is changing, and people are beginning to accept and validate that men need help too. Society is changing its views about therapy and encouraging people to seek the help they need.
And although it’s changing, there are still stigmas surrounding men’s mental health that can prevent men from getting the care they need:
- Men may struggle with expressing their emotions.
- Men may not realize that they have a mental health condition.
- Men may turn to substances or unhealthy coping mechanisms rather than seek treatment.
- Men may believe that they can push through negative emotions or work through problematic behaviors themselves.
- Men may have a negative opinion about the effectiveness of therapy.
- Men might not consider seeking treatment until their mental health issues are severe.
- Men might have difficulties being vulnerable in therapy and connecting with others.
Due to these preconceived notions about therapy, many men don’t seek help. But if we can help people see that therapy is beneficial, it will help destigmatize male mental health and help those in need.
Read More About the Male Mental Health Stigma