Men’s Issues

We all wonder if we have met our milestones in life or if our life is going the way we had in mind. When you think about what your life would be like by this age, or about the goals you had for your life -- do you think that  you are not there yet? 

Or do you feel anxious or depressed during certain times of your life, do you wish you could talk to someone? You feel it would not be "the manly thing to do," to ask for help? Have you been trying to cope with this by yourself but you have not been able to put it past you? 

According to a recent survey by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),  the number of men who seek treatment for mental health issues is significantly lower than the number of women with the same mental health concerns. 

Why is this?

From a young age, men are taught rigid masculinity – that is, to be strong and to keep their emotions in check. Men have had the message, "you're a man," "you can handle things,"  "toughen up," "be a man." 

What does that mean? Don't men feel anxious or worried? Do they have to keep their feelings or anxiety to themselves?  This often leads to many men feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed. Men keep their feelings or emotions bottled up or stuffed down and struggle with it alone. These are the very emotions they should seek help for - but they do not for fear of feeling they should not ask for help. Struggling with their emotional pain seems a better idea than opening themselves up to the stigma of seeking therapy. 

Both men and women have concerns with mental health and they could use the help of a trained professional to get answers to their concerns. Concerns such as someone in my family has depression, or bipolar disorder, schizophrenia -- do you worry that you might show signs of it ? As human beings we have thoughts and worries that are normal and typical of us; these are okay to be talked about. 

What are some of those most common mental health issues plaguing men?

• Substance abuse – Men are much more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
• Economic factors – Unemployment rates have increased. Many men feel their self-worth or value is linked to being the breadwinner.
• Bullying – Many men are victims of bullying.
• Relationship issues – Believe it or not, studies have shown that men rely more on their partners for emotional support than women do. This can make relationship problems particularly hard to deal with.
• Challenges related to fatherhood – While fatherhood can be a great source of joy, fatherhood can also cause stress and anxiety, especially for new dads.

 Mental health issues show up differently in men than in women. This means that many mental health issues are completely ignored and untreated.  Much  of the time, men minimize or don’t recognize their own emotional pain. What happens is that men bottling up their emotions, and these can lead to physical illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health issues and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me. There will be no judgment from me, you can talk in a safe space about whatever is on your mind - call for a consult. I offer a free 15 minute consultation.