Every man's experience and expression of mental health issues is unique. Depression, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and substance abuse are some of the most common mental health issues in men.
Some men frequently avoid seeking help when they need it, leading them to believe that they can push through negative emotions or work through problematic behaviors on their own.
As a result of this decision, they engage in behaviors that can be harmful in the long run and lead to addictive behavior, causing them to neglect important areas of their lives.
While some men believe that talking about their problems is not the answer, in most cases, they resist going to therapy or reaching out to their support system.
Realizing that everyone, regardless of gender, has bad mental health days from time to time, and it is important for society to let men know that having a mental health is part of being human and it is okay to not be okay, It is acceptable to seek assistance.
Men are not helpless. Telling your story also helps to break the stigma surrounding men's mental health. Because you are inspiring other men that they are not alone and it is okay to speak up.
Furthermore, society should be educated about mental health because individuals who are aware of mental health will be able to identify their symptoms and understand the benefits of seeking help. Instead of teaching men to hide their emotions when they are sad; parents, teachers, and guardians should teach men from a young age that it is okay to express their emotions and seek help.
The phrases "man up," "men don't cry," and so on perpetuate the idea that men are not supposed to express sadness, grief, or pain, and that doing so is the ultimate sign of weakness. Because of these masculinity standards, men are less likely to seek professional help for their mental health. They are afraid that their masculinity will be diminished. Men's mental health stigmas can begin when they are very young.
Some families, for example, may discourage boys from displaying vulnerability or crying. Instead, they may be told to "man up," or one of a number of other similar phrases. As a result, boys may be socialized to believe that anger is the only "socially acceptable" emotion for males to display.
As a result, they may begin to stigmatize the concept of mental illness, and instead of seeking help, they may seek unhealthy ways to cope with depression by relying on alcohol, drugs, and other excessive activities, resulting in addiction.