Breaking the silence on men’s mental health

Poor mental health affects all genders, but many men suffer in silence and this Men’s Health Week, Lee Hawker-Lecesne MBPsS, clinical director of The Cabin, Asia’s first rehabilitation center, is helping men break this silence, encouraging open conversations and ensuring men get the support they deserve to thrive, not just survive.

National suicide statistics paint a grim picture and the stark reality of significantly higher suicide rates among men in the UK demands immediate action. According to Mind, 75% of all suicides involve men, and men under 50 are three times more likely to commit suicide than women. These statistics highlight the need to address the unique mental health challenges men face. One of the biggest obstacles is societal pressure around masculinity. Traditional notions often discourage men from openly expressing their emotions, leading to feelings of isolation and a reluctance to seek help. Men may repress stress related to work, finances or family, leading to anxiety, depression or substance abuse. This silence around mental health can have devastating consequences.

Men’s Health Week provides an ideal opportunity to dismantle the stigma surrounding help-seeking behavior among men. By promoting targeted resources throughout the week, we can focus on creating a society where men feel empowered to prioritize their well-being.

Stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

The stigma that men face has many facets. Everyone presents different personalities to the world. For example, you may have a work personality and a home personality. But men often hide behind masks that prevent them from forming deep connections. We need to help men unmask themselves, become more authentic, and in doing so, develop greater resilience.

The “strong man” stereotype traditionally portrays young men as stoic and emotionless. This can make it difficult for men to recognize their feelings of sadness, anxiety, or vulnerability. Take the example of a young man struggling with stress at work. Societal pressure may require him to be more humane and repress it, leading to internalized struggles and a reluctance to seek help. Stigma caused by fear of judgment can lead men to fear being seen as weak or incapable if they express emotional difficulties. A middle-aged man suffering from depression may be hesitant to contact his friends, fearing he will be judged or ridiculed.

Men often use humor as a defense mechanism, to distract from emotional problems. While humor can be a coping mechanism, it can also mask deeper issues and prevent men from seeking professional help. “It’s not uncommon to hear a group of male colleagues making fun of someone’s anxiety before a presentation,” says Lee. “But such humor can discourage the individual from opening up about their true difficulties.”

The consequences of silence are characterized by pervasive stigmatization that has real-world consequences. Men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health problems, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This can worsen mental health problems and lead to other complications in personal and professional life.

Men may also self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to deal with unresolved mental health issues, creating a cycle of addiction or associated substance abuse issues. The cumulative effect of isolation and lack of support can lead to feelings of hopelessness and an increased risk of suicide.

The Cabin offers gender-specific programs designed for men. Their programs typically provide a safe space for men to discuss their struggles and equip themselves with tools to identify negative thought patterns. We use techniques to help men recognize unhelpful cognitive distortions that contribute to their emotional distress. For example, a client with social anxiety might have the automatic thought “Everyone will judge me harshly” during social events. Through therapy, he can learn to question these distorted thoughts and develop more realistic and empowering beliefs about himself and social interactions.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Men.

Men must be taught how to healthily manage their stress, anxiety and depression. This may include relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness exercises to focus on the present moment, or assertive communication strategies to effectively express their needs.

By developing emotional resilience, men can increase their emotional strength to face life’s challenges with more confidence. By learning to identify, understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way, men become more resilient in the face of stress and adversity.

Lee comments: “Highlighting men’s mental health isn’t just about raising awareness for one week a year; it’s about dismantling the stigma that keeps men in silence and suffering. We need to create a society in which men feel empowered to prioritize their emotional well-being just as easily as their physical health.

Tips for promoting men’s mental health:

• Promote open communication: normalize conversations about mental health between men, encouraging them to talk openly about their struggles with friends, family and colleagues.
• Tailored support services: Develop and promote mental health resources specifically designed for men, including greater access to support groups led by men who have overcome similar challenges. This can create safe spaces for men to connect and share their experiences without fear of being judged.
• Media Representation: Challenging stereotypical portrayals of masculinity in the media and celebrating men who openly discuss their mental health issues. This can help break the stigma and encourage others to seek help.

Men’s Health Week serves as a springboard for continued efforts. By working to dismantle stigma, promote healthy coping mechanisms, and create safe spaces for open communication, we can empower men to prioritize their mental health and build a future to thrive, and not just surviving, becomes the norm.