Addressing Men’s Mental Health
Men’s mental health is important, and how they go about addressing mental health struggles is long overdue. For far too long, outdated views on masculinity have sent an indirect message to males of all ages that men should be stoic, not talk about their emotions, and that it is a form of strength to bottle things up as a way to cope with life stressors. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rates of men experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders are increasing. A recent US study has indicated young men specifically are dealing with feelings of failure due to “Failure to Launch” a term describing the current difficulty young men have in today’s world to feel they are becoming successful, established independent adults. The current challenges men of all ages face in our every changing world are almost certainly contributing to higher rates of depression, suicide, and substance use disorders.
Some Eye Opening Statistics:
Young men age 15-24 have suicide rates four times greater than young women of comparable age. Men have high rates of depression and substance usage disorders, with men accounting for 75% of substance use disorders that typically start in late adolescence and early adulthood. Abuse of substances is often a maladaptive way of coping, instead of developing healthy strategies to deal with life stressors. Men also have higher rates of risk taking behavior. Men rate low in a statistic that further compounds the problem, they have much lower rates of accessing and utilizing available mental health resources.
Barriers Men Face to Accessing Mental Health Services:
Societal and self-stigma that they are seen as weak if they admit their struggles, discomfort with emotional disclosure, and negative social media messaging are significant deterrents for men pursuing assistance. A lack of mental health education can lead to struggles in recognizing mental health issues. A lack of male centered treatment services and lack of trust in the health system are contributing factors as well in the resistance we see from men when it comes to addressing the struggles they are dealing with.
The Time is NOW!
Now is the time to change the trajectory that these stats and trends are showing. We have the opportunity and the capability to implement real change in our approach and societal messaging to assist men with recognizing when they are experiencing mental health issues, accessing mental health services, and removing the outdated and out of touch stigmas associated with guys addressing their mental health.
What to Look For?
Here are some signs to look for that can help you identify if someone you know may be struggling and need encouragement to do something about it now, not later: If they are sad or withdrawn (empty) for 2 weeks or more. Big changes in behavior. Changes in social functioning, such as increased isolation. The emergence of new, risky behaviors, such as substance usage. Changes in academic performance or attendance.
How to Support Them?
- Listen to them, listen more than you talk.
- Check in on them, validate their feelings.
- Familiarize yourself with mental health supports and how to access them.
- Model to them through your own actions and behaviors on how to do self care and normalize taking care of your mental health.
We normalize what we experience in our
homes and family systems. If we can be good role models for adolescents by modeling healthy self care behavior and activities that we engage in, we can normalize to the next generation that taking care of our mental health is an appropriate part of overall wellness. It is time we take the necessary steps to create a new and improved view and approach to men’s mental health.
Ready to take the next step?
Reach out and and let’s get started!
Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-about-men/202008/failure-to-launch-in-young-men-is-a-mental-health-issue
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-matters-from-menninger/202406/6-reasons-men-dont-get-mental-health-care-when-they-need-it
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/mental-health-resources/mental-health-and-your-child-or-teen-what-to-watch-for-and-how-to-help/