“Be a Man”- Exploring Societies Changing Perspectives on Male Mental Health
History of Men’s Mental Health
For decades, women have been linked to having the “hysteric” or “emotional” types of personalities or mood disorders. Some found this to be more present due to the nature of the gender roles before the feminist movement. Earlier studies show that male emotions likely manifested more as physical symptoms that were less stigmatized, and this means that many men were undiagnosed.
Stats on Male Mental Health Ages 15+ (2022)
50% reported very good mental health
32% reported good mental health
17% reported poor mental health
Males in relationships had better mental health
Males who owned their place had better mental health
Other Stats:
A North American study found that 75% of suicides were males and 73% of those with substance use disorders were males.
Males have higher rates of DSM-V named “neurodevelopmental disorders”.
Males have higher rates of impulse control disorders.
According to data, males have about half the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders when compared to women, however, there may be reporting biases.
Most mental disorders in men are underdiagnosed.
Men are less likely to express their emotional distress and to seek treatment.
What Does Men’s Mental Health Look Like
Distractions/escape activities (increased participation in sports or time at work)
Substance use (alcohol, marijuana)
Anger or irritability
Impulsivity
Reckless behaviour (overspending, risky driving)
Changes in mood, sleep, or appetite
Restless or on edge
Changing Trends, The Rise of Toxic Masculinity
Over the years, there has been an increase in those advocating against toxic masculinity.
Toxic masculinity: “the notion that some people’s idea of “manliness” perpetuates domination, homophobia, and aggression. Toxic masculinity involves cultural pressures for men to behave in a certain way. And this likely affects all boys and men in some fashion. This idea that men need to act tough and avoid showing all emotions can be harmful to their mental health and can have serious consequences for society.”
With this new term around media, the stigma of men struggling mentally has been slowly reduced. Now, we tend to welcome open discussions about male mental health and there are more resources available for support.
What Happens When We “Tough Out” Mental Health
Unmanaged stress can lead to burnout which may look like exhaustion, irritability, and social withdrawal
Chronic pain and other physical issues
Loss of social connections
Struggling in relationships
Poorer work performance
Overall, a lower satisfaction across various areas
Resources for Men’s Issues Because Your Mental Health Matters
Access Mental Health Counselling
Rebound Total Health Clinic offers online and in-person counselling and is flexible to meet all needs. Whether you choose a male or female therapist, they are there to support you and introduce you to opening up about your struggles or goals with nuggets of psychoeducation.
Men’s groups can be a safe space to connect and collaborate with others who you may relate to. They are an excellent place for healing and growing with a community. Support groups can take the form of emotional support, teaching skills for personal skill growth and ways to improve self-confidence. Other topics may include trauma processing, leadership skills, and working through struggles with anger and addictions.
You can find local support groups in Hamilton and surrounding areas at the link here.
Stress Management Strategies
Yes, men can incorporate “self-care” as well. “Self-care” refers to any intentional actions taken to improve your mental or physical health (or ideally, both!).
Exercise
Journalling
Joining a sports team with friends or coworkers
Hobbies
Reading
Grounding in nature
Prioritizing sleep hygiene
What You Can Do To Reduce the Stigma
CAMH has found that stigma prevents 40% of the total population (men and women) from seeking help for their anxiety or depression.
Here are some things you can do:
Join an online program or course on psychoeducation
Share with others what you have learned
Learn to use appropriate language when speaking about mental health
Realize that a diagnosis does not define you or your identity
