Red flags for excessive negativity in your circle: Identifying and Managing Pessimistic Individuals
In a world where mental health is increasingly being recognised as a crucial aspect of overall well-being, a significant group remains underserved: men. Despite facing high rates of serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicide, men are much less likely to seek help or talk openly about their struggles.
Depression and Anxiety in Men
Depression is a common mental health issue affecting men, with symptoms such as loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleeping patterns, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. Anxiety disorders are also prevalent, including generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. Men may experience excessive worry or fear, panic attacks, or avoidance of certain situations.
Substance Abuse and Men's Mental Health
Men are more likely than women to struggle with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. These substances can exacerbate existing mental health issues, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break without professional help.
The Role of Social Support
Strong social support can significantly improve men's mental health and reduce the risk of mental health issues. Men should prioritize building supportive relationships with friends, family, and other social groups.
The Benefits of Regular Exercise and Mindfulness
Regular exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve mental health and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Mindfulness and meditation are effective practices that can help men manage stress and improve their mental health.
Addressing the Challenges
Several key factors contribute to men's mental health issues. Stigma and social norms, barriers to seeking help, economic and occupational stress, age-related risks, and the prevalence of specific disorders all play a role.
Men grow up with societal expectations to be stoic and self-reliant, which leads to suppressing emotional vulnerability. Men often externalize distress through anger, irritability, or risk-taking behaviors instead of seeking emotional support. Only around 40% of men with mental illness receive treatment compared to 52% of women.
A Call to Action
Addressing men's mental health improves not only their quality of life but also benefits families and communities by reducing suicide rates, substance abuse, and the societal costs of untreated mental illness. Creating safe spaces for men to open up, challenging stigma, increasing tailored support, and raising awareness are critical steps.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that develops following a traumatic event, and men who have served in the military or experienced other traumatic events may be at risk for PTSD. Effective communication and emotional expression are key to improving men's mental health.
Globally, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women, and in the U.S. alone, men accounted for nearly 80% of all suicides in 2022. Despite having somewhat lower diagnosed rates of mental health conditions than women, men face worse outcomes, partly because traditional masculine norms discourage emotional expression and help-seeking behavior.
[1] Mental Health America. (2021). State of Mental Health in America 2021. Retrieved from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america-2021
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Men's Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-s-mental-health/index.shtml
[3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral Health Barometer, Volume 6: United States, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3129/ShortReport-3129.html
[4] World Health Organization. (2020). Men's mental health: global status and solutions. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/world-mental-health-day-2020/men-s-mental-health-global-status-and-solutions
- Men's mental health struggles, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidal tendencies, are frequently unaddressed due to societal norms that encourage stoicism and self-reliance, leading to suppression of emotional vulnerability.
- Mindfulness and meditation, along with regular exercise, can help men manage stress and improve their mental health, contributing to better overall health-and-wellness.
- The science behind mental health reveals that men, despite lower diagnosed rates of mental health conditions, often face worse outcomes due to traditional masculine norms that discourage emotional expression and help-seeking behavior, necessitating a critical shift in societal thinking.
- By addressing men's mental health, we can reduce suicide rates, substance abuse, and the societal costs associated with untreated mental illness, ultimately benefiting families, communities, and the scientific understanding of mens-health and mental health as a whole.
