What Can You Do To Support Men’s Mental Health
One of the best things you can do for men’s mental health is to speak openly about mental illness. Not to state the obvious, but the overall goal of any awareness month is to bring awareness to an issue, and the reality is many men are suffering in the shadows. The ways men display mental illness are also not commonly discussed.
“While there isn’t a different sort of ‘male depression’, some symptoms are more common in men than women,” writes the Mental Health Foundation. “These include irritability, sudden anger, increased loss of control, risk-taking, and aggression. Men may also be more likely to use alcohol and drugs to cope with their depression rather than talking about it. They may use escapist behavior too, such as throwing themselves into their work.”
Read up on men’s mental health issues. Learn the signs and speak up and out, whenever possible. Knowing the signs of mental illness in men, and how they are different from that of women, and discussing them openly are all ways to bring awareness to men’s mental health.
Ptsd And Men Vs Womens Mental Health
PTSD is characterized by symptoms of avoidance, hyperarousal, and reliving traumatic events. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, almost 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience one traumatic event in their life.
While women experience sexual assault and abuse more than men, men are more likely to experience traumas such as:
- Physical Assaults
- Needing more of the substance to achieve the desired effects
- Craving drugs or alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms without drugs or alcohol
Treating co-occurring mental health disorders can be challenging. Because each condition feeds off the other, treatment should address all disorders simultaneously.
Mens Mental Health In Comparison To Women
Statistically, women receive more help for mental health and mental illness is more prevalent in women, but men are still more likely to attempt suicide. Men are also 2 to 3 times more likely to abuse drugs than women, and self-medicating to cope with mental illness is not uncommon at all. The organization also note that self-medicating with alcohol and other substances is a common symptom of depression among men and that this can exacerbate mental health problems and increase the risk of developing other health conditions. The NIMH also revealed that more often than not, men will go see a doctor for the physical symptoms of mental illness, but not the emotional symptoms.
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Mens Mental Health Awareness
Did you know that June is Mens Mental Health Awareness Month? It is, and if that information comes as news to you, it is not necessarily surprising. Often, men are reluctant to discuss mental health issues, let alone their own struggles. With that in mind, we wanted to share with you six quick facts about mens mental health.
Fact 1: Over 6 million men suffer from depression per year. Male depression often goes undiagnosed, with men more likely to report fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in work or hobbies rather than feelings of sadness or worthlessness.
Fact 2: Approximately 3.5 million people in the US are diagnosed with Schizophrenia, which is one of the leading causes of disability. 90% of people diagnosed with Schizophrenia by age 30 are men.
Fact 3: Males account for an estimated 10% of patients with anorexia or bulimia and 35% of patients with binge-eating disorders while at the same time, men with eating disorders are less likely to seek professional help than women.
Fact 4: More than 4-times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States. Annually roughly 75% of deaths by suicide are men.
Fact 5: Approximately 1 in 5 men develop alcohol dependency.
Fact 6: Men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, substance abuse, and stressful live events due to social norms, reluctance to talk, and downplaying symptoms.
What Men Are Saying
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A Guide To Mens Mental Health
One of the biggest issues surrounding the state of mens mental health is lack of awareness. Heres a quick breakdown of the statistics you need to know when it comes to men and their mental health according to Mental Health America.
- The top five mental health issues that affect men are:
- Depression Over 6 million men suffer from depression yearly and it often goes undiagnosed. Symptoms men are likely to report include irritability, loss of interest in hobbies or work, and fatigue.
- Anxiety 19.1 million American adults between the ages of 18 to 54 have some form of an anxiety disorder, and 3,020,000 men experience a panic disorder, agoraphobia, or any other phobia.
- Bipolar Disorder Men and women experience this illness at equal rates and approximately 2.3 million Americans are affected by this. Men often experience onset between 16 to 25 years old.
- Psychosis and Schizophrenia 90% of Americans diagnosed with schizophrenia by age 30 are men. This is one of the leading causes of disability and affects approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S.
- Eating Disorders 10% of patients with anorexia or bulimia and approximately 35% of those with a binge-eating disorder are men, and of these men, they are less likely to seek professional help than women.
Mens Mental Health Month Is Being Commemorated In The Workplace
In most organizations worldwide, male employees make up most of the workforce. For employers looking to improve employee mental health, addressing mens mental health issues should be a top priority.
Employers can take advantage of Mens Mental Health Month to raise awareness about preventable mental health issues and encourage male employees to live healthier lifestyles.
It is critical to encourage early disease detection and treatment, which can only be accomplished by raising awareness.
Employers can use these five great ideas to celebrate Mens Mental Health Month in their workplace
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In 8 Men Will Be Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer Reduce Your Risk
Like most cancers, age, race, and family history are risk factors. Research has shown that prostate cancer is more likely to be fatal in men who are overweight or obese. Staying physically active and eating plenty of colorful fruits and veggies and whole grains may reduce your risk. To learn more about prostate cancer prevention, visit the American Cancer Society website. When prostate cancer is detected early, men have more treatment options and are less likely to die from the disease.
Mens Health Awareness Is Lifelong
November is Mens Health Awareness Month and the Movember Foundation uses the month to bring awareness to and support of those tackling prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide. June is Mens Health Month the purpose is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. The following are recommendations that are supported by evidence from scholarly journals and professional organizations and associations to improve mens health.
Throughout the world, women live longer than men, although this gap varies tremendously in less developed countries. According to the CIA World Factbook, in the United States, average longevity for women is 82.2 years for women and 77.2 years for men, a five-year gap. Many men have the mentality of if it isnt broke, dont fix it so if they cannot see or feel an external stimulus, they will think there is nothing ever wrong. A majority of men are just not aware of what they can do to improve their health and live healthier and happier lives.
At a very least, get vaccinated. Everyone needs immunizations to stay healthy, no matter their age. Even if you were vaccinated as a child, you may need updates because immunity can fade with time. Vaccine recommendations are based on a range of factors, including age, overall health, and your medical history. Ask your health care provider or a pharmacist about the recommended vaccinations.
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How Many Men Die By Suicide In The Uk
There is an undeniable male suicide crisis across the world. It is estimated that one man dies by suicide every minute of every day.
In the UK, men account for 75% of all suicides.
In England alone, the male suicide rate was 15.8 per 100,000, compared to the female suicide rate of 5.5 per 100,000 in 2021. Men aged between 50 to 54 were found to have the highest suicide rates amongst all men at 22.5 per 100,000. The North East of England had the highest suicide rate in 2021 at 14.1 per 100,000.
Psychotherapy For Mens Mental Health
Psychotherapy is known as individual therapy or talk therapy. In psychotherapy, men work through issues and traumas that trigger their mental health disorders. Psychotherapists also help men change their negative thoughts and behaviors and learn healthy coping skills.
Therapists use a variety of therapies which may include:
- Using meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities
- Limit the use of drugs and alcohol
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Recognizing When To Ask For Help
When should you see a doctor? Unfortunately, there isnt an all-inclusive answer. However, If youve had symptoms for more than two weeks that affect the quality of life, consult with your physician. Leaving symptoms untreated can affect your overall health and personal relationships. Medication and counseling can be beneficial when combined. Fortunately, with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can get back to enjoying life quickly.
Signs That Youre Struggling With Your Mental Health
Men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide. Early intervention can save lives, which is why its crucial to have these difficult conversations about mens mental health.
Mental health conditions among men can go largely under the radar for a variety of reasons, whether due to societys expectations or being taught to ignore your feelings.
Signs and symptoms of mental health issues among men often include:
- Increase in risk-taking behaviour such as taking drugs or gambling
- Feeling irritable, frustrated or like youre on a short fuse
- Getting angry more often or noticing an increase in aggression
- Escapist behaviour such as working long hours or drinking to excess
- Withdrawing from friends, family, work or social events
- Loss of interest in sex or issues with performance
- Feeling anxious, sad, low, empty or hopeless
- Thinking about or making plans around suicide
- Changes in appetite, weight gain or weight loss
Symptoms vary for everyone, and its important to get to know your mind and warning signs so that you know when to reach out for help.
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The Stigma Surrounding Mens Mental Health
We cannot address mens mental health without addressing one of the most detrimental aspects that our society places on men: toxic masculinity. The history that our society has with the idea of masculinity is unrealistic and oftentimes unhealthy. Dr. Raymond Hobbs physician consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan states that When youre talking about toxic masculinity, it really comes down to the way males are brought up. The way were taught to be strong and quiet.
Studies continue to show us that a disturbingly large percentage of both men and women believe that mental illness is a sign of weakness. Although more research in recent years has let us understand mental health on a deeper level, the stigma about mental health still discourages men from reaching out. We know so much more now, and we recognize the chemical changes that take place. In many ways, mental illness is just like diabetes, or any other physical condition, says Dr. Raymond Hobbs.
Anxiety Disorders And Mens Mental Health
Anxiety disorders are defined by intense and uncontrollable feelings of worry and fear. The most common anxiety disorder in men is generalized anxiety disorder. GAD often co-occurs alongside depression.
Other anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While men and women equally struggle with anxiety disorders, men are less likely to seek treatment for them.
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that causes people to have a break from reality. People with schizophrenia experience delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. Men make up 90 percent of those who receive a schizophrenia diagnosis by age 30.
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What Month Is Men’s Mental Health Month
- Anxiety disorders
Additionally, during this month, you learn about the different signs and symptoms men exhibit when experiencing mental illness. Also, men’s mental health month helps emphasize the need to normalize conversations about mental health problems among men.
This is because, unlike women, men are less likely to seek help for mental illness. They tend to downplay their symptoms until it’s too late. This is because of reasons such as:
Mens Health Awareness Month
Its November and for men all around the world that means No-Shave November and Movember are officially underway. While the tradition of ditching the razor, channeling your inner Tom Selik, and growing a mustache for the next 30 days is a great one, what is the real meaning behind it? November is Mens Health Awareness Month a month dedicated to promoting awareness for mens health conditions such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health issues. Did you know that:
- Males in the United States live 4.8 years less than females on average.
- 317,000 men in the US die from cancer every year. The most common being prostate cancer.
- One man commits suicide every minute, of every day around the world.
The Cleveland Clinic found that 82% of men want to stay healthy so they can live longer for friends and family, yet only 50% engage in preventative care. The likelihood of successfully treating prostate or testicular cancer increases tremendously if they are caught early but men are statistically less likely to go to the doctor, even when they know something is wrong.
As a space created for men, by men, were dedicated to ending the stigmas surrounding mens health, and providing you with care that is comfortable and effective. We want to help you take control of your health and address all aspects of it.
Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer
Mental Health
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What Puts Men At A Higher Risk Than Women
Before we go further, lets look at why men are more likely than women to have mental health problems.
There are numerous reasons why men are more permitting to mental health problems than women.
The pressure on men and boys to succeed in the eyes of society and their peers is one of the main factors.
Men are taught from an earlier age that success is essential, which is why many men put their mental health as a second option.
Another factor is that men are less likely than women to seek medical or professional help.
Since ancient times, society has portrayed men as rough and powerful. Men have been expected to confront their issues head-on for a long time. As a result, todays men may regard it shameful or weak to confide in others about their problems. Also, depression and anxiety can make it more challenging to treat and recover from cancer, live a good life, and survive.
Here are interesting facts about mens mental health:
- Men are more likely to commit suicide than women.
- Approximately 248,530 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Sixty percent of 500 men do not visit a doctor even if they suffer from a severe mental health problem.
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Approximately 9470 men in the United States are diagnosed with testicular cancer.
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