Men's Day: You Matter More Than You Show

International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19 of every year. This year, let’s take care of our men's mental health. Yes! Men’s mental health, a context which is often overlooked.

Why Is Men’s Mental Well-Being Often Overlooked?

Did you know? Men are less likely than women to have mental problems, but they are more likely to kill themselves, according to the CDC report.

Quick Facts On Men’s Mental Health

• The government's national well-being survey indicates that men are less satisfied with their lives than women.
• Only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men, indicating that men are less likely than women to seek psychological therapies.
• Men make up almost three-quarters of missing adults.
• Men make up 87% of rough sleepers.
• Men are almost three times more likely than women to develop alcohol dependence and to report using drugs frequently.
• Compared to women, men are more likely to be "sectioned", or forced to stay in treatment.
• Males are 1.5 times more likely than females to become victims of violent crimes.
• The majority of prisoners are men. In jails and prisons, there are elevated rates of self-harm and mental health problems (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Men and women: statistics
  
  Go to source).

Mental Health Signs To Look Out For In Men

• Aggression, irritability, or anger
• Observable shifts in appetite, energy level, or mood
• Sleeping too much or having trouble focusing, feeling agitated, or tense
• An increase in anxiety or tension
• Abuse of drugs, alcohol, or both
• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Having trouble experiencing positive emotions or feeling flat
• Taking part in risky activities
• Headaches, stomach issues, or aches without a known cause
• Compulsive behavior or obsessive thoughts
• Ideas or actions that disrupt social, familial, or professional life
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Men and Mental Health
  
  Go to source)

Though the prevalence of mental disorders is more common among both sexes, the symptoms they experience vary according to their gender.

Are You Doing Enough to Support the Men You Love?

1. Talking to someone

Humans are biologically wired to connect; connecting with someone strongly influences both physical and mental health. According to an article published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, low social connection can be equivalent to

• Smoking 15 cigarettes/day
• Alcohol abuse
• Worse than physical inactivity
• Twice as harmful as obesity

You may wonder how these social connections could help with easing mental health symptoms; connecting with someone also has a biological basis. During emotional bonding, oxytocin is released:

• Hugging, touching, breastfeeding, hand-holding
• Interactions with pets

Oxytocin works alongside serotonin, dopamine, and GABA to improve mood and reduce anxiety. That is how emotional connection eases our mind (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Five ways men can look after their mental health

Go to source).

2. Stop the ‘Man Up’ Myth

Research shows that when men feel their masculinity is threatened, it can create significant identity stress that affects their mental well-being. To cope with this pressure, many men unconsciously avoid anything perceived as "feminine" and instead try to reassert their masculinity in subtle ways.

Studies found that men under such threats tend to distance themselves from feminine choices and exaggerate traits like height, past relationships, or aggressiveness – behaviors that reflect an attempt to rebuild lost confidence.

These reactions aren't about ego but are psychological coping mechanisms shaped by societal expectations. Such reactions do not concern the ego but are psychological coping mechanisms as dictated by society.

Being continuously under pressure to prove their masculinity, men have fewer opportunities to be vulnerable, express emotions, or ask for help. The first step to promoting men's mental health is to minimize such stigma and establish a place where men feel appreciated without feeling the need to prove and protect their masculinity (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Manning up: Threatened men compensate by disavowing feminine preferences and embracing masculine attributes

Go to source).

3. Be Active

Even mild exercise, like taking a brisk walk, can improve your mood because it releases endorphins, which have been clinically shown to improve mood, sleep quality, and concentration. To get some fresh air and a change of scenery, try to stay active by getting off the bus one stop early or going for a walk during lunch.

4. See the Signs? Don’t Wait.

If you see the signs mentioned above, you must seek help.

• About 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness yearly.
• Men have a lower diagnosed prevalence but higher severity and mortality.
• About 131.14 million men experience depression annually (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
  Males and Mental Health Stigma
  
  Go to source).

5. Book an Appointment with a Professional

Professional guidance is often preferable, and there is also a free mental health helpline (Tele MANAS), which is available 24/7. An initiative by the Government of India (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
National Tele Mental Health Programme of India

Go to source).

This International Men’s Day, don’t just wish the men in your life well—take care of them. Not just today, but every day. They never fail to look after their families, always putting others’ needs before their own, often without recognition.

We often glorify the sacrifices of women, but men, too, have their struggles — their silent cries, their unspoken battles. These are usually dismissed as “their responsibility”, but in reality, men struggle more than we notice.

As a woman writing this, I want to speak to the men in my life: for every silent burden you carry and every challenge you face, you are loved, and we owe you more appreciation than you receive. I dedicate this message to you, and I hope it brings awareness and change.

Happy International Men’s Day!
References:

1. Men and women: statistics - (https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/men-women-statistics)
2. Men and Mental Health - (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health)
3. Five ways men can look after their mental health - (https://www.bcu.ac.uk/blog/nursing-and-midwifery/five-ways-men-can-look-after-their-mental-health)
4. Manning up: Threatened men compensate by disavowing feminine preferences and embracing masculine attributes - (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-26764-001)
5. Males and Mental Health Stigma - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7444121/)
6. National Tele Mental Health Programme of India - (https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/home)

Source-Medindia