Have you ever been told that, “Boys should not cry”, or “You should not cry like a girl”. Many men, have heard this many times, while they were growing up. When they were young, they were not allowed to feel and express what they felt.

Just consider all the men and women in your life, who would be more likely to talk about what they are going through, and what they tend to express freely ? It is highly unlikely that men would express, about what they are feeling, because of their upbringing and stereotypes. They would be discouraged, to talk about their issues.  Men are always expected to toughen up, and be strong. They are forbidden to be too emotional, and this has made it difficult for men to understand, what they are going through, and aske for help. Hence they are hesitant to ask for help, that they genuinely need like every other person.

How to deal with Men’s Mental health issues

Does Men’s Mental Health differ from that of Women’s Mental Health?

Mental health challenges do not differ much with gender, but how we understand and deal with it differs with each gender. It is important to talk about mental health for men because it is affecting men as much as women but there are challenges in managing men’s mental health.

Men’s mental health is tough, with increased rate of Depression, Suicides and Chronic Mental Disorders.

Asking men to man up or telling them that boys do not cry makes their problems insignificant and being dismissive and ignorant about their problems does not make them go away.

Men find it hard to open up, about what they are going through. and many tend to have an unhealthy way of coping with their problems, by indulging in smoking, alcohol, drugs. Many times they indulge in extreme measures such as self harm, harm directed towards others and suicide. Suicide rates for men are higher than women, and men are more likely to die because of drug overdose and abuse of alcohol than women. Suicide attempts are also more successful among men, than women and men can use harsher means to end their life.

Men have a lot of financial pressure on them, for being the bread earners of the family. Others may have problems at work, or regarding relationships. Reducing this burden from their shoulders, by lending them a hand and ear, when needed, can create a big difference in their life. It will create a healthy circle around them, where they can talk freely, and take help from loved ones and professionals.

How can we Help Men, regarding Mental Health ?

Normalize Men crying and speaking up.

Do not tease young boys , for being physically a little weak, or having lower immunity.

A “good boy”, is a healthy boy, who will grow up to be a balanced adult. Do not impose unrealistic expectations of boys or men.

Don’t idolize unrealistic social media icons or personas, with toxic masculinity. (Read more..)

Both men and women go through the same mental health challenges, the women are encouraged to talk about how they feel and they are highly likely to ask for help, whereas, the men might try to self-medicate and take up anti-depressants or intoxicants, than talk about how they feel. In this process, they lose out on necessary help and measures, that is needed by them to recover. It is very important, to talk about mental health awareness of men, and break the stigma surrounding their mental health.

Many celebrities and public figures are now opening up and expressing what have gone through, and this motivates men to talk and share about, what they are personally going through. Taking the right steps, towards feeling better, with professional help, can make all the difference in their life, and this can in fact, change their quality of life experience.

Men’s Mental Health Matters too!