Mental health is important for everyone, including men. However, men may face unique challenges when it comes to seeking help for mental health issues. Here are some considerations for men and mental health:
- Recognize the signs: Mental health issues can present themselves in different ways, and men may be more likely to exhibit certain symptoms, such as anger, irritability, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches. Recognizing the signs of mental health issues is the first step to seeking help. Break
- Break down the stigma: There can be a stigma surrounding mental health, which can prevent men from seeking help. It’s important to recognize that mental health issues are common and treatable, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Talk to someone: It can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional about your thoughts and feelings. Opening up about mental health can help break down the stigma and make it easier for others to seek help as well.
- Prioritize self-care: Self-care can be an effective way to manage stress and improve mental health. This can include things like exercise, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities you enjoy.
- Seek professional help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide support, guidance, and treatment options that can help you feel better.
Remember, taking care of your mental health is important for your overall well-being. By recognizing the signs of mental health issues, breaking down the stigma, talking to someone, prioritizing self-care, and seeking professional help when needed, men can take proactive steps to improve their mental health.
Our emotional state often dictates how we behave, with men and women handling emotions differently. When upset, women are more likely to express their feelings directly and to seek the support of friends and family, whereas men might hide their emotions or withdraw.
Men often feel they need to be self-reliant and provide for their loved ones, so it is not appropriate to express their emotions. This behavior can be reinforced in the stereotype of the heroic male, so often represented in popular culture. Fearless, resourceful, stoic, and usually facing adversity alone, these characters tell us a lot about what is considered ideal male behavior in our society.
More potent than film characters are the roles we see our parents playing. Many men have experienced fathers who were emotionally distant, who rarely, if ever, cried or expressed affection outwardly. The way we see our parents behave may become the unconscious template for our behavior.
Mental well-being for men
Good physical and mental health is more than the absence of sickness in our lives.
Wellness is about adopting lifestyle practices that improve our chances of not getting sick, or when illness occurs, we are in a better place to manage it.
Mental health issues are more challenging to acknowledge and address than physical ailments, but the symptoms and the impact on our lives are just as real. Mental illness is often accompanied by stigma and misunderstanding, resulting in a person feeling more isolated and alone.
Just as we can take lifestyle precautions to safeguard our physical health, we can also take steps to promote mental well-being.
Tips to promote mental well-being:-
- Develop strong, supportive relationships with your partner, children, family, and friends. We are social animals, and the people in our lives are our most important asset. Looking after your relationships requires time and care.
- Find someone you can talk to and who will listen. This can be someone from your family or outside, such as a mate, work colleague, or professional. We all need someone to talk to when life gets tough. For many men, this might be the most significant challenge, as in tough times, we tend to isolate ourselves and try to go it alone.
- Broaden your interests and do things you enjoy. There is more to life than work. So much of a man’s identity and sense of worth is linked to his work and what he contributes to his family and society. Engaging in hobbies and sport adds to our lives.
- There is a link between physical and mental well-being. When one is not functioning, the rest of the system is affected. By taking care of our bodies, we take care of our minds. Think about your lifestyle. Eating well, exercising regularly, and drinking in moderation are proven strategies for health.
- Listen to what you are telling yourself. So often, when we are under pressure, our thinking turns negative. We may worry, blame others, feel hopeless, and not want to take responsibility. Notice these signs to reduce our negative reviews.
- Ask for help, and don’t go alone. This may be a challenge for men. Many messages are about standing on your feet and solving your problems. Some things we can manage independently, but there are some things we can’t. Knowing the difference is another critical skill.