Are you a girl? Why are you crying?! Boys don't cry, they are meant to lead the family and be the bearers of the family. Our society has conditioned both men and women about the way they should react and behave to be deemed normal and acceptable in a social setting. It is harrowing to see societal standards and perceptions of how both genders should act and lead their lives, impacting individuals to embrace their authentic light and nurture their needs and wants.
We live in a world where men are not allowed to cry and women are not allowed to be fierce or strong-willed. Oftentimes the notion of portraying ourselves as we are obligated to, our inner emotions and psyche gets hidden and unheeded, leading to mental health problems and the inability to express ourselves and be vulnerable. In this article, we talk about how society has conditioned men to be firm and have their ground showing no emotions whatsoever and how this leads to a decline in their mental health.
The societal conditioning of a perfect man
While stereotypes about women can be harmful, it’s crucial to recognize that men are also affected by these expectations. Men are often viewed as the primary providers and are expected to be strong, dominant, and self-sufficient. Although these traits can have positive aspects, they can hinder men from seeking assistance or expressing their feelings. In the U.S., men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, yet they are diagnosed with depression and mood disorders at significantly lower rates. This raises the question of why such disparities exist. Society frequently holds men accountable for their difficulties. They often resort to substance abuse and violence instead of seeking mental health support. Many face challenges in adapting to an evolving job market and shifting gender roles. Additionally, they often adopt harmful attitudes and beliefs that negatively impact their well-being.
This method of attributing responsibility to individuals has yielded minimal progress in implementing clinical, social, or structural measures to enhance men's mental health. The issue isn't men themselves; rather, it's how society and healthcare professionals interact with and support them. Primary care doctors, mental health professionals, and policymakers need to reassess their beliefs and explanations regarding the high rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, substance abuse, and other prevalent mental health issues among men.
The existing approach has hindered our capacity to provide effective solutions that resonate with men and equip them with the resources to not just cope but to flourish. Society frequently holds men accountable for their difficulties, as they tend to resort to substance abuse and aggression instead of seeking mental health support. They face challenges adapting to a shifting job market and evolving gender expectations. Additionally, they often adopt detrimental attitudes and beliefs that negatively impact their well-being. However, attributing responsibility to individuals has resulted in minimal advancements in clinical, social, or structural measures to enhance men’s mental health. The issue isn't men themselves; it's how society and healthcare providers treat them.
Primary care doctors, mental health professionals, and policymakers need to reevaluate their beliefs and explanations regarding men's mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, burnout, and substance abuse. The existing approach has hindered our capacity to provide effective solutions that resonate with men and equip them to not only cope but also flourish.
Men's health and well-being in the United States have reached a critical juncture, particularly worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that while U.S. men experienced slightly lower anxiety levels than women during the pandemic, they reported higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Factors such as pandemic-related uncertainty, loneliness from social isolation, financial pressures, and relationship difficulties contributed to increased challenges for men, including sleep issues, substance abuse, and PTSD symptoms linked to hospitalization experiences. As a result, in 2020, the number of men seeking mental health services surged more than five times compared to the previous year, surpassing the increases seen in women. However, by 2021, only 40% of men with reported mental health conditions had received care in the past year, compared to 52% of women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Men and Mental Health - A Patriarchal Obstruction
Professionals in the medical and mental health sectors must understand and empathize with the challenges men face in a rapidly changing environment. Studies indicate that men often find it difficult to distinguish between depression and stress, and may not recognize when it's necessary to seek help for severe symptoms. Both men and healthcare providers may overlook symptoms of depression if they are linked to external issues, such as job loss. Traditionally, men have been taught to measure their self-worth by their economic contributions to their families. However, as the job market evolves away from roles typically held by men, they must learn to redefine their value beyond their jobs, income, and domestic roles. The concept of "precarious manhood" suggests that men view their masculinity as a status that needs to be earned and defended, leading them to feel that their character is being evaluated during challenging economic periods.
Even men who reach and sustain what they consider a successful level of manhood often impose unrealistic expectations on themselves, which can result in burnout. Key contributors to burnout include an imbalance between job demands and skills, insufficient control over work tasks, a lack of recognition for their efforts, and prolonged stress at work. When examining how gender affects men's mental health symptoms, it's crucial to consider these contextual elements. Men are diagnosed with depression less frequently than women, even though they have higher rates of suicide, substance abuse, and violent behaviour. This discrepancy indicates a need for better diagnostic tools for identifying depression in men. Scholars emphasize the importance of enhancing mental health care providers' understanding of how gender influences the expression of mood disorders in men. While some providers may recognize that symptoms of depression in men can include aggression, alcohol use, and risky behavior's, there is a lack of training focused on gender differences in mental health. This gap may leave providers ill-equipped to offer appropriate, gender-sensitive support for men.
Although there isn't a distinct type of 'male depression', certain symptoms tend to be more prevalent in men compared to women. These symptoms include irritability, sudden outbursts of anger, a heightened sense of losing control, risk-taking behavior, and aggression. Men are also more inclined to resort to alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with their depression instead of discussing their feelings. Additionally, they may engage in escapist activities, such as immersing themselves in their work.
Conclusion
It is crucial to recognize that the need for mental health resources and support among men extends beyond simplistic explanations related to male thought processes or attitudes towards masculinity. Such a narrow perspective limits our ability to effectively tackle and enhance men’s mental health. To truly address this pressing issue, we must adopt a gender-sensitive approach to mental health services, taking into account the broader contextual and structural factors that impact men’s mental well-being. Now is the time to examine men’s mental health in its entirety and redirect our focus towards how our healthcare systems and providers can be better equipped to deliver effective services that promote and improve the mental health of men.
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