Men and mental health

Men and mental health in most countries are sadly not talked about enough, although mental health issues are more prevalent in women than in men. What’s important to point out is that women are more likely to reach out for a diagnosis while men are not. Almost 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety but less than half will receive treatment and more than 4 times as many men as women die by suicide every year. This is due to the culture that we as men have to toughen up, just grit our teeth or man up. These cultural expectations originate from long standing societal norms that most likely came up during the medieval period or even further when gender roles were more clear. Where the man took up the responsibility as the patriarch, working hard so they could provide for the whole family. 

And although people may agree with this culture that we as men have to toughen up, it is important to learn to find the right time and place. However mental health is not one of those times because it affects every aspect of our lives—our emotional well-being, relationships, work, and even physical health. Men need to recognize that taking care of their mental health doesn’t make them less of a man. Seeking help, talking to someone they trust, or seeing a therapist are all proactive steps toward better mental well-being.