When is Men's Mental Health Month
Be conscious of your mental health: June is Men's Health Awareness Month
It's National Men's Health Month in June-a time to be reminded of male well-being, bringing awareness about issues that are often swept under the rug or otherwise ignored: mental health, for instance. It's an excellent time to be open and aware about a subject many men cannot and are unwilling to discuss-yet one that should be addressed and acknowledged as an ongoing silent epidemic impacting men nationwide-mental health problems.
Men in recent years are having rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide shooting. In the words of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, it indicates men are almost four times as likely to commit suicide compared to females. As for America alone, over 6 million experience signs of depression and hardly visit clinics for medical advice. This is not to undermine sobering statistics, but a recent survey showed that 49% of men feel they are more depressed than they allow others to know. Some factors contributing as to why most men do not seek help are the stigma surrounding mental health issues and fear of judgment.
Why Men's Mental Health Matters
Mental health issues are something that can happen to anyone, but in men, they face some different challenges while identifying and addressing their mental health. There are several barriers preventing men from seeking the help they need, such as:
Failure to recognize depression: Men do not always recognize the symptoms of depression or may attribute their feelings to stress or physical exhaustion, ignoring the underlying emotional issues.
Many men downplay their symptoms and signs. They feel they need to take care of themselves.
The males are not discussing their depression symptoms. This is so because, in a society's opinion, men cannot show emotions and be vulnerable. Such is perceived to be weakness.
Resistance towards mental health treatment: This occurs often because a person is afraid of the rejection and stigma associated with the given condition.
It's through these that mental health issues prove to be an uncomfortable topic between themselves and their close family members, along with friends; hence, causing one to distance themselves and thereby worsening the condition. However, the realization that a right help does make all the difference.
Early Warning Signs of Depression
In appearance, depression isn't the same for anyone and has men looking, acting and speaking differently, or they're very hard to come across with that emotional feeling relating to depression. Here are the warning signs the man may resort to if having depression:
There might be negativity speaking or hopelessness: Men say they feel that they are no more use, or at least they haven't got the chance and don't care about the future.
Acting without consideration for others: Depressed men often appear to not care about other people's needs and lose interest in family, work, or hobbies.
Substance abuse: More alcohol or drugs are the most common way that men may try to handle emotional pain.
Withdrawal from family and friends: Depression often results in social isolation, and men often pull away from loved ones.
The facts are as follows:
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Men might have issues with focus, memory, or decisions, and such issues may cause problems at work or in personal life.
Talking about separation or divorce: Unplanned conversations about the breakdown of a relationship or even thinking of leaving a spouse or partner might be taken to imply that mental health is the issue.
Physical complaints: Depression is usually reflected physically, and men complain about chronic pain, headache, or other digestive problems which do not find any medical basis.
Changes in eating or sleeping habits: A male with depression would either over-eat or eat nothing at all. In like manner, they tend to suffer from insomnia or even sleep too much.
It is, therefore important that any symptom of such conditions be taken seriously. Depression and other mental health conditions get worse without treatment but there is help available. It can prevent further harm and open the door to recovery if professional guidance is sought early on.
Action and Seeking Help
Organisations like Heads Up Guys have free online depression self-check tools, which a man can use to assess himself and understand whether he is at risk. This can be a starting point to find resources that would help get proper support.
But taking action doesn’t just mean using online tools—it means having conversations about mental health. One of the most effective ways to combat the stigma surrounding mental health is by talking about it. Whether you’re a man experiencing challenges yourself, or someone supporting a man in your life, starting open and honest conversations about mental health is crucial. Here are some steps to take to encourage
healthier discussions and reduce stigma:
Start with a conversation: Ask your friends, family members, or colleagues how they are really doing. Share your own experiences with mental health if you feel comfortable doing so. Sometimes, knowing others are open about their struggle helps you break the ice.
Be supportive: Support men in reaching out to seek professional help if needed. Inform them that seeking therapy or counseling does not reflect their weakness but their strength. In fact, a lot of various resources, ranging from therapists, support groups, to online communities, are exclusively offered for the support of men.
Educate yourself and others: The more we understand mental health, the less stigma we will have. Learn the facts about depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions so that you can be a better ally and advocate for men's mental well-being.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Men's Mental Health
It is more than the efforts of an individual but the building of communities, workplaces, and societies where men are allowed to talk about their mental health openly without judgment. Conversations on mental health need to become the norm and clear that every gender has the right to be helped in the same manner at all times.
Teach a boy to "tough it out, but what is important and not weak is the act of opening the door into honest living with a mental illness. Such an openness helps individuals support openness which has real power for change in reversing the message being received about mental health in males and deeper understanding becomes one of their hallmarks
June is Men's Health Month: Stepping out of Silence.
During this Men's Health Awareness Month of June, take some time to reflect on why mental health matters and how you might make a difference: whether speaking out, providing resources, or just being a good friend, a good family member, or a good colleague.
After all, mental health is no different from that of the body. Men are supposed to take full control of their emotions and ask for help whenever they feel a need to do so. Together, let's make a society which will motivate these males to improve their mental health by forcing them into no judgment or stigma.
Conclusion: Everybody Needs Help with Mental Health
This has been one of the long-standing neglections in the talk about men's mental health; however, growing consciousness and community work can make the narration about this circumstance different. The fact that men face a lot of obstacles when it comes to mental health should not be understated. Now it's time to do something during Men's Health Awareness Month and far beyond, by ensuring that many more men get the resources and access to support and care needed to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
If you or a friend are having a mental struggle, don't wait until it gets worse. Seek out therapy, a counselor, or a support group. There's no shame in reaching out as soon as possible and the sooner you begin to address challenges with mental health; the better things will be. Let's break the stigma and talk about it today.
