Mental health is the state of one’s mental faculties, or lack thereof. Men are more likely to suffer from mental health issues and stigma than women, but that doesn’t mean they’re not open to talking about it. In order to break down this stigma and make men feel comfortable opening up about their mental health, society needs to start by believing that it’s a cool thing.
Why Men don’t talk about mental health
Mental health is still seen as a taboo topic for men, despite the fact that it’s just as common as it is for women. Men don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health, and they don’t believe that it’s a valid issue. They think that it’s only for women, and that mental health isn’t something that men should be concerned about. But before men come out to talk about mental health, they have to believe that it’s cool.
When will men come out to talk about this topic?
Mental health is an important topic that deserves to be talked about more, and before men come out to talk about it, they need to believe that it’s okay to do so. society has a lot of misconceptions about mental health and what it means, which is why it’s so important for men to start talking about their experiences.
There are many benefits to talking about mental health, including feeling less lonely and improving overall self-esteem. Men have a tendency to bottle up their emotions, but by talking openly about their experiences, they can break down the stigma around mental health and help others who may be struggling too.
It’s important for society as a whole to start paying more attention to mental health and the effects it has on individuals. It’s not just women who suffer from mental health issues – men deserve to be acknowledged and supported too.
Is there any way to change this trend?
Before men come out to talk about mental health, they have to believe that it’s cool. And if you’re one of the many who feel like this is an insurmountable challenge, that’s okay. You’re not alone.
Despite the progress we’ve made in recent years, mental health remains a taboo topic for many people. Even more so for men, who often don’t feel comfortable admitting that they’re struggling with anything. This can make talking about mental health difficult and even scary.
But we need to start talking about mental health if we want to change the trend of men dying by suicide at a rate six times higher than women. We need to be open about our struggles and learn how to support each other.
If you’re ready to start the conversation, here are five tips for starting it:
- Be honest: If you’re feeling uncomfortable discussing mental health, trust that your friend is also feeling uneasy. Let them know that you’ll be there for them, but ask them to be open with you too. Honesty is key in breaking down stigma and building trust.
- Listen carefully: It can be hard to listen when you’re anxious or feeling overwhelmed yourself, but a little silence can go a long way. The person you’re speaking with will feel heard and respected when they know that you want to listen rather than plan your next steps or multitask.
- Don’t rush: If someone is struggling, give them their space and the time they need to share what’s happening. It may be tempting to try and fix the problem right away, but rushing into anything might backfire by making things worse.
- Be respectful: Research shows that men are reluctant to speak about mental health issues for many reasons, including physical insecurities related to body image or self-esteem. So let them know that it’s okay if they don’t talk about it yet—just ask again after some time has passed.
What can you do?
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mental health and many people are afraid to speak up about their struggles. But we can all start by breaking the silence and by sharing our stories. Here are some ways you can help make mental health more visible:
- Share your own experiences on social media and in other forums. This can be cathartic and help others feel less alone.
- Educate yourself and your friends about mental health issues. This can help dispel myths about mental illness and equip you with the resources you need to talk to someone if you need it.
- Start a conversation about mental health among your peers. Ask them how they’re dealing with their own struggles, and offer to lend a listening ear.
Vandana Aggarwal