WE NEED TO BREAK THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
By Francis Chipalo
Not so many people, especially men, want to talk about Men’s Mental Health as if talking about it makes men weak. The exact opposite is true!
Mental “disorders” affect both men and women. The prevalence of several mental disorders is lower in men than in women. However, other disorders are diagnosed at comparable rates for men and women or at higher rates for men, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Men are also more likely to die by “suicide” than women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Certain symptoms may also be more common in men than women, and the course of illness can be affected by a person’s sex. Researchers are only now beginning to tease apart the various biological and psychosocial factors that may impact mental health.
Men are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women in the past year.
Common symptoms of mental disorders in men may include;
Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness. Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite.
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much. Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge.
Increased worry or feeling stressed and above all, Misuse of alcohol, drugs, or both which is the most common yet ignored by many.
Like many men, you may have learned to focus on self-control. You may think it isn’t manly to express feelings and emotions related to depression, and you may try to cover them up. Not wanting to get mental health treatment. Even if you think you have depression, you may not want to be diagnosed or treated.
Recognizing the signs that you or someone you love may have a mental disorder is the first step toward getting treatment, health experts have advised, and the earlier that treatment begins, the more effective it can be.
By acknowledging your emotions as valid, facing your fears and depression head-on, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable and seek treatment or support from friends and family, you actually strengthen your mind, improve your mental health fitness and empower yourself to lead a better, more successful joyful life.
The belief that men should be able to handle their problems on their own, the fear of being seen as weak or not in control, the worry that talking about their feelings will make them seem less manly is the stigma associated with mental illness in men that needs to be addressed.
I don’t have exact figures but my observation statistically is that more males have committed or attempted suicide in the recent past than females and this is because “men usually die from inside” or simply put, they are keeping things to themselves because of some of the myths that I have highlighted above.
We need as a nation to promote conversations around men’s mental health especially under current economic hardships being experienced and we need to do this because a Man’s Mental Health matters.
#BreakTheSilence
#JoinTheCampaign
The author is a Journalist , Media Consultant and Mental Health Activist. Send your comments and contributions to francischipalo@rocketmail.com or 0977203043
