Men & Mental Health

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Picture of Lizzie Prochoda

By Lizzie Prochoda

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength!

Did you know that one in every five American adults will experience a Mental Health issue in their lifetime, but only 44% of them will receive the necessary help? A large percentage of the people who do not seek out the necessary medical help for their mental illness are men. It is easy to joke around that men have a difficult time asking for help, whether that is asking for directions, or asking for help with a project, however men typically feel that it is a sign of weakness to ask for help. What we want men to know is that by asking for help, they are not showing a sign of weakness, but instead a sign of strength!  By removing the stigma that surrounds mental health and recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with a mental health disorder, we can help more men receive the proper treatment.

Why some men don’t seek treatment?

  • A desire to restrict emotions
  • Asking for help is considered “feminine”
  • A desire to be self-reliant
  • Maintaining a tough and aggressive “masculine” appearance

What influences your mental health?
Mental illness does not discriminate between age, socioeconomic status, race, or gender. By recognizing some of the major factors that affect your mental health, you may be able to proactively seek the necessary treatment early on! Some major influences include:

  • Your genetic makeup (some mental health issues run in families)
  • Coping with a natural disaster
  • Job change, or losing your job
  • Diagnoses of a serious illness or sustaining a major injury
  • Death of a loved one
  • Divorce, separation, or breaking up after a long-term relationship
  • Service in the military

Sometimes your mental health can change for no apparent reason.

What can you do?
Mental illness is frequently viewed as a taboo subject and some people are reluctant to seek treatment. By emphasizing the importance of everyone’s mental health, men may feel more open to receiving treatment. If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, please talk with your physician/mental health professional:

  • Lack of or too much sleep
  • Indecisive or irritable behavior
  • Appetite change
  • Stress, anxiety, and/or fatigue
  • A general feeling of sadness

By receiving the proper treatment, you can help yourself to feel better as well as the people that care for you!

For additional information, go to:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/infographic-mental-health-men -A great infographic
http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/ownersmanual.pdf
http://nostigmas.org/learn/mens-mental-health
http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2013/jun/13/mens-health-week-mental-health
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/myths-facts/index.html

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