Men's Mental Health
By Dillon Fountain Men’s mental health is often stigmatized, and this leads to men often avoiding treatment for their mental health conditions. While women are more frequently diagnosed with depression and anxiety, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for men in America. On average, men commit suicide at four times the rate of women. This lack of treatment often stems from the behaviors taught to men. Men are often taught that seeking help for their mental health is considered weak. Men and young boys are told that they must be strong, silent, and resilient to hardships. While these traits are admirable and protective to some degree, they can often cause detriment to a man’s mental and emotional well-being when held to the highest degree.
Mental health also presents differently in men and women in terms of symptoms. While both men and women can develop the same mental disorders, the presentation of symptoms can range into any of the following:
• Aggressive behavior
• Anger
• Mood or appetite change
• Abuse of substances
• Feelings of restlessness or hopelessness
• Obsessive or compulsive behaviors
• Risk-seeking behavior
• Racing heart or headaches
• Thoughts of suicide or death
While these symptoms can overlap in both men and women, some are more prevalent and should be noticed in men. For example, there is more often a “physiologic” response in men. This would present as having a racing heart, headaches, or digestive issues. These types of physical reactions are more common in men and occur more than emotional responses to depression and mental health conditions.
The Men’s List is a resource page that can be used to find therapists and help in your area.
Resources
Men and Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health
Chatmon BN. Males and Mental Health Stigma. Am J Mens Health. 2020 Jul-Aug;14(4):1557988320949322. doi: 10.1177/1557988320949322. PMID: 32812501; PMCID: PMC7444121.
Sage Neuroscience Center https://sageclinic.org/blog/stigma-impacts-men/
