Did you know that men account for a whopping 80% of suicide-related deaths? That’s right. A study done by the CDC revealed that males are four times more likely to commit suicide than females.
One thing that contributes largely to this is the fact that men rarely seek help for mental health issues. This is unfortunate as psychiatric disorders don’t discriminate. They affect everyone regardless of one’s gender, race, age or nationality.
To improve and shed light on men’s mental health care, I have shared five helpful tips below. Let’s dig in:
Ditch Societal Expectations for Men
Society expects men to behave in a particular way, that is, to always be brave, dominant, and responsible. While there’s nothing wrong with these traits, it can often lead to suppressed feelings and mental health challenges.
So the first thing you can do for your mental health is to ditch those societal expectations. It’s okay to cry or express your feelings in different ways. You don’t always have to be strong or in control of situations, this is where God comes in, He is sovereign enough to carry our burdens. On the same note, don’t judge other men from such a perspective.
Support the Men in Your Life
How many times have you seen a male colleague or friend struggling with something? Did you stop to help or did you mock them for their incapability?
Well, the next time you encounter a similar situation, ensure you stop and support them. At the very least, offer a listening ear- no matter how awkward it will feel. Each time you show up for your fellow mates, the misguided notion for males to “man up” and keep their problems under wraps seems more old-fashioned and irrelevant.
Encourage the Men in Your Life
It is important that we encourage them to seek professional help when they are experiencing symptoms related to their mental health, even if they can’t pinpoint the exact issue. Medication, supplements, and/or therapy may be a good place to start to avoid worsening problems. It’s important for them to seek therapy or a provider to assess the severity of their symptoms. It is also important to encourage the men in our lives with the Word of God, to assure them that they are not alone in this journey. They have a Sovereign God who hears and sees their struggle, and Who loves them dearly. To encourage them of some of the things King Solomon spoke about in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
“1 Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
Speak Up
If there’s one thing you can take away from this post, it’s the importance of speaking up. Identify two or three people that you can confide in when facing mental health challenges.
Don’t feel comfortable sharing personal issues with your friends and family? That’s fine. You can share with a therapist instead. Depending on where you live, you may even have access to a men’s specific mental health hotline.
And this doesn’t apply to mental health issues only. Anytime you’re going through a financial difficulty or physical problem, you should speak up.
Don’t Use Alcohol or Drugs to Cope
Most men who are reluctant to seek help, usually turn to drugs and alcohol to cope. In fact, some don’t even realize they’re using these things as coping mechanisms until it’s too late.
To avoid this, try to be more conscious of your drinking habits and drug use. Are you drinking to have fun or to bury a problem that you don’t want to face head-on? If it’s the latter, you might want to stop and seek better help.
Get a Hobby
Given all the pressure society places on men, it’s not unusual to find yourself working round the clock. However, it’s important to take a break every once in a while. Look for an activity you love and schedule time for it. This could be anything – from rock climbing to woodworking, cooking, gardening or sports.
