Men’s Mental Health Awareness: An Unheard But Important Voice

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Introduction-

In the present times, mental health has become a topic that is not only necessary but mandatory to discuss. Mental health does not mean only mental illnesses. Still, the name of the condition where a person balances his thoughts, emotions, and behavior, faces the challenges of life with self-confidence, and maintains positivity in his family relationships.  While awareness of the mental health of women and children is on the rise, men,  without awareness of their mental health, suppress their emotions and feel ashamed to seek help. For this reason, they remain silent even though they are mentally unwell.

To break this silence and make people aware of men’s mental health,  the month of June is celebrated as ‘Men’s Mental Health Awareness’ every year.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness motivates especially men to stay mentally healthy,  gives them a message of emotional support, and tries to dispel the misconceptions related to mental health spread in society. Men’s Mental Health Awareness, even though celebrated in June, its message becomes essential for each year, each month, and each day. Its purpose is to create awareness about the identification, support, treatment, and sensitivity of mental problems in men.

When we hear or utter the word “man”,  the image of a strong, responsible, fearless, calm, and struggling man always emerges in our mind. But this image can also be a myth, because due to stress, depression, anxiety, mental problems ms or mental illness, many men suffer the pain of their inner self silently. The ‘Men’s Mental Health Awareness’ campaign is determined to break this silence and show that men, too, have mental feelings, inner conflicts, and are entitled to help and solutions.

Internationally, according to the World Health Organization, among people who commit suicide worldwide, men are four times more likely than women. This is not because men suffer more mentally, but they are not able to express their mental agony, because in our society, for centuries, men have been strong, determined, and calm in every situation.  “You’re a man,  you’re going to have to endure everything. “If the man breaks up, how will the family handle?” Due to their ideologies, they do not seek help from anyone else related to their mental problems and go on breaking down inside.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness is a movement that attempts to convince men that mental problems are not a weakness, but a human reality. This Men’s Mental Health Awareness provides them with a pathway where they can share their experiences, give words to their feelings, and also get help without any shame or fear. For this, family,  partners, colleagues, etc.,  all have to adopt a culture of empathy, sensitivity, and open communication towards men.

So let’s all work together to create an environment where every man believes that his mental health is as important as his physical health. Where he feels safe in sharing his pain instead of hiding it.  Because a healthy man is not just a person, but the foundation of a healthy family, society, and country.

The ‘Men’s Mental Health Awareness’ was started mainly in the US and Europe, where the month of June was dedicated specifically to the mental, emotional, and social health of men. Gradually, this initiative became global, and now its importance is being understood in India as well. This month, Men’s Mental Health Awareness is a team of organizations, organizations, healthcare professionals, mental health activists, and volunteer groups to spread awareness about men’s mental health through webinars, discussions, social media campaigns, workshops, and other activities.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Objective-

Men’s Mental Health Awareness aims to identify and understand the problems related to men’s mental health. Its main objectives are the following.

1- Increasing awareness among men-

To remove the silence and misconceptions about men’s mental health in society. Convincing men that taking care of mental health is not a weakness, but courage.

2. Encouraging positive communication

Encouraging men to talk openly about mental problems like depression, anxiety, stress, etc.

3. Strengthening the support system.

Develop policy and resources that support men mentally.  Teaching family, friends, and communities how they can support men.

4. Preventing Suicide-

Keeping in mind the increasing rate of suicide among men, providing support from time to time, and linking to facilities like helplines.

5. Recognizing gender-based mental pressures

 From societal expectations such as “men don’t cry,”  understanding the mental impact men have on me, and removing social stigma related to mental health.

6. Promoting a healthy lifestyle-

Along with the measures to maintain social and emotional balance towards mental health,  men should understand that mental health care is as important as physical health.

7/ Education and Training.

 To create awareness among youth from the beginning by organizing sessions related to mental health in schools, colleges, and workplaces.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Problems-

Under Men’s Mental Health Awareness, many problems related to mental health are seen in men, such as depression, anxiety and nervousness, stress, sleep problems, drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, etc.

1. Social stigma-

There is a popular notion in our society that ‘men don’t cry’ or ‘stay strong’. In this, expressing emotions is considered a weakness. Afraid to talk openly about these problems, that people might make fun of them.

2. Lack of Emotional Expression-

From childhood, men are accustomed to suppressing their emotions. This results in sadness, anxiety, or stress, which are not recognized in time.

3. Delay in treatment

Men are always late in going to the doctor or counselor, because they think they will be able to handle it on their own first. But the problem becomes serious when it is late, due to which the risk of depression to suicide increases.

4. Lack of support system-

Compared to women, support groups are less available for men. There is a lack of open communication for men.

5. High rate of increase in suicide ratio

In many countries, the proportion of suicides among men is higher than that of women. This leads to a lack of help, social pressure, financial responsibilities, and a sense of isolation.

Shockingly, the number of men who commit suicide worldwide is four times higher than that of women. One of the main reasons for this is that men are not able to share their mental problems with anyone in time.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Need-

Under Men’s Mental Health Awareness,  the need for mental health in men is as follows.

1. Cultural Expectations and Pressures-

In our society, men are often expected to always be strong, calm, and confident. By expressing their feelings or acknowledging mental suffering, people don’t think of them as weak. Due to the fear of this mentality,  they are unable to express their inner anguish to others.

2. Monthly Stress and Responsibilities

In today’s time, men play many roles, such as work, family, social responsibility, and financial pressure etc. The uncertainty of the job, taking care of the family, the financial crisis, and the career challenges all have an impact on the mental state.

3. Invisible Mental Disease-

Men often have problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, social phobia, alcohol or addiction. But they sometimes hesitate to seek the help of a doctor or psychiatrist, because this topic is not discussed openly.

4. Increase in suicide rate:

Worldwide, men’s suicide rates are four times higher than women’s. This only proves the serious lack of mental health, which can be corrected in time.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Health Challenges-

Under Men’s Mental Health Awareness, the challenges related to mental health are as follows.

1. Depression-

Depression is not just sadness. It is associated with symptoms such as hopelessness, fatigue, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, and a decline in self-esteem. Men have always found depression difficult to identify because they hide it through anger, irritability, or overwork.

2. Anxiety and Stress-

Anxiety comes in many forms. Such as financial, family, career, etc. In addition, stress does not cause sleep. The mind is disturbed again and again. Breathing and heartbeat become faster.

3. Lack of self-reflection

Men always feel uncomfortable sharing their feelings openly with others. Lack of self-reflection increases mental problems.

4. Social Expectations-

Some beliefs lead men to hide their mental struggles, which is also called toxic masculinity. For example, “Men shouldn’t cry” or  “Men have more power to suppress emotions.”

5. Intoxication and self-harm-

Some men rush to alcohol, smoking, drugs, or intoxication to cope with stress or misery. It may provide temporary relief, but it worsens mental health in the long run.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Cultural and Social Barriers

Under Men’s Mental Health Awareness, some cultural and social barriers related to mental health are as follows.

1. Definition of Masculinity-

There are many rigid definitions associated with masculinity in society. Such as self-reliant, not showing emotions, decision-maker. These definitions lead men to hide mental pain and not accept the problem.

2. Lack of Seeking Help

The notion that ‘asking for help is a sign of weakness’ is deeply ingrained in society. When someone talks about seeing a therapist, many men perceive it as a piece of  ‘psychotherapy needed’, and experience pain.

3. Lack of Awareness-

Many men are not properly informed about mental health. They feel the symptoms, but they do not know what to do, where to go, or how to seek medical help.

4. Negligence of family members

Some families don’t take mental health seriously. He reacts insensitively, mistaking it as  “mental weakness, strange words,” or “not a cause for concern”.  

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Solution Measures and Strategies-

Under Men’s Mental Health Awareness, in mental health, the solutions and strategies are as follows.

1- Identify the primary.

If you experience that you are not sleeping,  feeling less hungry,  losing interest in the mind,  experiencing frequent sadness, then all these could be signs of depression or anxiety. Constant anger, extreme exhaustion during work, distance from friends, inclination towards alcohol or intoxication, then pay attention to these.

2- Talk to a trusted person-

Let a close friend, family member, or trusted person with whom you can speak freely, let them know about your situation. Talking makes the mind lighter, and you understand your problem.

3. Seek advice or therapy–

Don’t hesitate to see a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Therapy helps you vent your emotions, understand patterns, and make positive changes.

4- Take care of yourself-

A balanced diet, yoga or exercise, adequate sleep, and rest are essential every day. Meditation, pranayama, walking, and spending time in the company of nature provide mental peace.

5- Maintain social connections–

Spend time with friends and family. Participate in your interests, such as sports, music, books, etc. In addition, group activities such as clubs, officers’ programmes, etc., strengthen social bonding.

6- Avoid alcohol and drugs

Do not consume alcohol or drugs during times of stress. These give temporary relief but exacerbate the problem. Seek professional help to get rid of addiction. Such as detox centers, support groups, therapists, etc.

7- Digital break–

Stay away from social media, wasteful screen time, work-related chats, and notifications. Relax your mind by staying away from the digital world for some time.

8- Embrace small joys-

Good food, listening to favorite music, spending time with family, reading a book, walking in the company of nature, etc., such small actions can improve your mood.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Significance-

Under mental health, the importance of Men’s Mental Health Awareness is as follows.

1. Spreading Awareness-

In Men’s Mental Health Month, various organizations raise awareness on mental health in men through social media, media talk, workshops, webinars, etc. Such as what its symptoms are, how to get help for it, how common this problem is, etc. 

2. Support for Mental Health-

“You are not alone.  This message is widely disseminated. Men are taught that there is no shame in seeking help; rather, it is part of mental health and general health.

3. Providing Resources-

Seminars, counselling slogans, helpline numbers, therapist lists, strategies to support friends and family, etc.,  are all shared in this month so that everyone can take steps in the right direction.

4. Role Models and Stories

Famous men, such as doctors, sportspersons, leaders, etc., share their mental health journeys. To show that everyone can be affected by depression, anxiety, and stress, and that solutions are possible.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Helpful Resources-

1. Helpline & Online Support-

Some platforms in India, such as Kiran Helpline, AASRA, Therapy Platform, etc., offer helplines and online support where talks related to trained therapists can be done.

 Apart from this, if you need other information related to mental health, I can help you. You can get the latest information from the website, edublog.cloud. Other blogs related to this are also available.

Another blog has also been written equivalent to this blog.

2. Local Clubs and Support Groups-

Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, etc. have mental health clubs, support groups where men can share their experiences and get guidance from experts.

3. Book & Blog-

Books and blogs available in Hindi and English, such as ‘The Mindful Male’, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, ‘Emotional Intelligence’, Mental Wellness (Blog), and Hindi books like ‘Power of Mind’, ‘Emotional Aspects of Life’, etc., can be helpful.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Personal Experiences (Story)

Monty’s Story-

Monty is a 40-year-old teacher.  He was under stress due to family, career, and financial reasons. Gradually, they started getting less sleep. He started getting angry and did not feel like working. They were reluctant to go to social gatherings. Gradually, the distance from friends increased. If someone asked about them, “Are you okay?” So they would break down and become miserable.

He spoke openly to his trusted friend. The friend suggested, “Talk to a mental health professional.  Monty contacted a psychiatrist. With the help of skilled therapists and counsellors, he gradually understood anxiety and stress, expressed emotions, and adopted positive habits.

In a few months, he changed his lifestyle. Each day started feeling better with yoga, healthy eating, meditation, adequate sleep, and periodic therapy. Now they share their experience with other men, so they know that seeking help is not a shame, but a responsibility to be alive.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Conclusion-

Men’s Mental Health Awareness aims to draw attention to issues related to men’s mental health and raise awareness of it in society. Men have to suppress their emotions due to social and family pressures. Traditionalist thinking, such as ‘men don’t cry’, prevents them from expressing mental problems openly. As a result, they can fall prey to serious conditions such as stress, depression, and even suicide.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness is not a recurrence but an inspiring opportunity in every man’s life. So recognize your mental states in time, do not hesitate to ask for help,  adopt self-care, and give a message to society that men are not separate from emotions. All of us, friends, families, institutions, and government,  have a responsibility to acknowledge and support men’s mental health as normal, and to create a safe environment where they can talk freely.

Men’s Mental Health Awareness is not just a campaign for June. It is a step towards Men’s Mental Health Awareness, Annual Awareness, and Action Change. Recognizing the mental challenges of men,  giving them safe places for their health, telling them options for help, all these are steps towards making society mentally healthy.