Understanding and supporting men’s mental health

In fact, for the past several months he had been feeling very irritated and depressed.

He worked late nights, often numbed his emotions with alcohol, and felt increasingly cut off from his family. Despite his outward success, Raj was battling an invisible adversary—depression and emotional turmoil he was unaware of.

Like many men, he was not even in touch with his deep feelings of sadness and pain. Sometimes, when he noticed these feelings, he suppressed and denied them. Like many men, to accept his sadness was to accept a weakness that was unstable and unusual.

Denial of her feelings in this way exacerbated her feelings of hopelessness, despair and anger, the alienated people around her prevented her from seeking the help she needed, and sadness increased the chances of suicide.

Raj is not alone in suffering from this vicious cycle of sadness, anger, substance abuse, and isolation—a condition that masks the reality of male depression.

As a community, we are always open to discussing anxiety, stress and depression, which has helped many feel more comfortable talking about their mental health.

However, men’s mental health is still a neglected area. In India, about 40% of men do not openly discuss their mental health, due to stigma, negative attitudes, including the false belief that men should deal with their emotions independently. , and the mental health system that ignores men’s depression symptoms.

Historically, societal expectations have dictated that men be strong, resilient, and emotionally assertive. There are also important biological differences in the way men and women perceive and process emotions. Hormonal influences, such as testosterone, also contribute to these different emotional responses in men.

Women tend to seek companionship and emotional support when they are in trouble, while men tend to isolate themselves.

Current mental health screening methods can easily miss depression in many men, who, instead of being sad, have other symptoms such as physical pain, anger and numbness . These symptoms are known to occur with mood disorders but are not necessary or sufficient for diagnosis by current methods.

As a result, many men suffer in silence, isolate themselves, or turn to substance abuse, struggling with their internal problems without the support they need. This explains the statistical confusion where research shows that women are diagnosed with depression twice as much as men, while the risk of suicide in men is much greater than in women – more than 2 times ,5 for women, according to a recent study.

Depression in men can manifest differently than in women. While classic symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep and appetite are common, men may also experience irritability, anger, substance abuse and changes in libido. When men start to experience depression, they often show anger, irritability and substance abuse. They may push people away and lose close relationships with their loved ones.

When we think of depression, we often think of someone who is unemployed, stays at home, and lacks the energy to perform daily activities. However, many men cope with this condition by overworking or distracting themselves with excessive work. In such cases, identifying a mental health problem is more difficult as it often appears as protest, aggression or competition. It is important to widen awareness of these problems and help men deal with internal and systemic barriers to seeking help.

If there’s a man in your life—brother, father, husband, boyfriend, partner—who withdraws from activities or overindulges in unbalanced activities, here are some ways to help:

* Encourage seeking professional help: If you notice signs of major depression, encourage seeking professional help. Offer therapy, counseling, or psychological support, and volunteer to help find or carry supplies if needed.

* Encourage open communication: Create a safe space for open and honest discussion. Encourage non-judgmental expression. Do things together that don’t feel confrontational, like going for a walk or drinking coffee.

* Stay in touch: Keep in touch regularly and check their well-being. Create a sense of connection to combat loneliness, which can worsen mental health issues. Find time to give them space to process their feelings and thoughts.

* Be aware of different perspectives: Challenge common stereotypes about masculinity. Promote the idea that seeking help is a brave and positive step towards mental health.

* Educate: Take the time to learn about mental health issues, including common symptoms and resources available. This knowledge can help you better understand what your loved one may be experiencing and help you provide informed support.

As a man, it is very important to take steps to be independent for mental health. Here are some ways you can help yourself:

• Accept your feelings: Understand that it’s okay to have feelings and that accepting them is the first step to healing. Try journaling as a habit to help you connect with yourself.
• Talk to someone: Share your feelings with a trusted friend or family member. Opening up can provide help and support.
• Do healthy activities: Regular exercise, mental health and hobbies can greatly improve your mental health.
• Learn: Learn about mental health to better understand your experiences and reduce stigma.
• Challenge different perspectives: Reject the idea that asking for help or expressing an opinion makes you weak. Embrace weakness as strength.
• Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed: Consult a doctor, counselor, or mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed.

Raj realized that he could not continue to live in silence. He reached out to his best friend, who encouraged him to see a psychiatrist. Through therapy and therapy, Raj learned to control his emotions and develop better coping strategies. He was reunited with his family and found a new purpose. In doing so, she realized that by accepting her pain and healing it, she was actually able to be more patient and happier.

By fostering an environment where men are more aware of their feelings, comfortable expressing their feelings, and seeking support, we can create a healthy, supportive community.

Strength and weakness are not mutually exclusive. Men can find that using their empathy and connecting with their feelings makes them not weak but strong, authentic and powerful.

This article is written by Dr Shyam Bhat, psychiatrist and chairman, LiveLoveLaugh.