Men's Mental Health Month: It's Time to Talk

Let's take a moment to shine a light on men's mental health.

Men face unique challenges when it comes to mental well-being. Societal pressures to be "strong and silent" can make it difficult to seek help. But talking openly about mental health is crucial for early intervention, better support systems, and a healthier future for all men.

Let's look at the statistics?

Nearly 1 in 10 men experience some form of depression or anxiety, but less than half seek treatment?Alarmingly, more than four times as many men as women die by suicide each year.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Men and women can develop most of the same mental disorders, but the symptoms and coping mechanisms can differ. In men, these symptoms are often masked by unhealthy coping behaviors, some of these include:?

• Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, and pain
• Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
• Controlling, violent or abusive behavior
• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness (inappropriate anger)
• Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
• Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

How to Support Men's Mental Health

Break the silence: learn the signs and have open conversations with the men in your life. Knowing these signs can make a difference. Encourage the men in your life to talk openly about their individual challenges and seek help.?

Benefits of Treatment for Men

Treatment with a mental health professional can offer numerous benefits, from developing better coping strategies to setting realistic life goals. Therapy can be a starting point for men to:?

• Acknowledge their emotions and find coping strategies?
• Manage stress and develop problem-solving skills.
• Learn to adjust your thinking and try new approaches to situations

?? Additional Resources

Interested in learning more?? Check out "A Safe Space: Men's Mental Health," a free webinar?that explores anxiety and depression in men, addresses the stigma around men's mental health, and discusses how culture, fatherhood, race, and other issues influence men's mental health journeys.?

Sources:

Men’s Mental Health | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health

Male depression: Understanding the issues. (2024a, February 13). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/male-depression/art-20046216

Men and Mental Health. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health