Why do men underutilize mental health services compared to women?

June is dedicated to raising awareness about men's mental health issues, with June 10-16 designated as International Men's Mental Health Week. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging men to seek help when needed.

1 out of 4 persons who seek healthcare in Kenya suffer from a mental health condition such as depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorder. However, men register lower mental health treatment rates. Why do men typically underutilize mental health services compared to women?

Our understanding of mental health and how it impacts all aspects of our lives is constantly evolving. Mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, experienced differently by each person. Being a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors, It influences decision-making, relationships, and overall well-being.

With this understanding, why are men still less likely than women to seek mental health services? One factor could be that males are less frequently referred for such services. Additionally, seeking help can be seen as defying traditional male gender norms around not discussing emotional concerns with others; thus, friends and family may hesitate to recommend mental health care to men for this reason.

The stigma surrounding men's mental illness has far-reaching and detrimental effects. It discourages treatment and help-seeking due to fears around disclosure, social isolation, and financial strain. Although a relatively new area of study, the lived experiences of men facing mental illness stigma are important to understand, especially given that men are over twice as likely as women to die by suicide globally.

The men in your life need you...

Despite having higher rates of suicide, men report lower rates of depression than women. This disconnect is partly driven by stigma, which prevents men from getting therapy, limits support systems and discourages discussing depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts. Many men deny or conceal mental illness signs to avoid being branded, rejected, shamed or avoided, especially in professional settings. The fear of appearing weak by having a mental health condition contrasts with societal expectations that men should be strong, stoic and independent - able to "tough things out."

Self-isolation and emotional distance are common coping mechanisms employed by men to hide vulnerability and evade social shame or burdening others. However, this tactic cuts off potential support networks, increasing suicide risk.

Some of the most prevalent mental health conditions affecting men include depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. Signs that may indicate a mental health issue include persistent sadness, excessive worrying, social withdrawal, sudden mood swings, increased substance use, and suicidal thoughts.

It's crucial that men understand it's okay to feel and express emotions, build meaningful connections, embrace vulnerability, and seek professional mental health treatment when needed. With more open conversations and reduced stigma, more men can get the support they need.

Developing Solutions For Mental Healthcare

Since 2019, IntelliSOFT has been actively involved in improving access to mental health services through technology. We have worked on configuring the Bahmni platform to support the delivery of mental health services via telemedicine, with a focus on adapting mental health patient workflows. This mobile telepsychiatry project has enabled the customization of Bahmni to better fit and support mental health patient needs through a virtual care model.

About the Author

Mercy Kamau is a skilled medical practitioner and business analyst whose passion lies in leveraging digital health solutions to enhance patient care and drive global healthcare equity. With years of clinical experience backed by a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Medicine, Mercy brings invaluable expertise in diagnosing and treating various conditions with a compassionate, patient-centric approach. However, her true zeal shines through her deep interest in digital health and optimizing healthcare workflows through innovative technology platforms. As a Business Analyst at IntelliSOFT, Mercy combines her medical acumen with a data-driven mindset to analyze telehealth insights, identify patterns, and develop preventive strategies and personalized care plans. Her goal is to collaborate across disciplines to implement and refine digital health solutions that establish resilient, sustainable healthcare systems accessible to all.