It’s that time of year again – November! This month often brings big changes: the end of daylight savings (hello, extra hour of sleep!), shorter days, colder weather, and the knowledge that snow is just around the corner for those of us in the northern hemisphere. November also brings an important reminder about men’s health. Every year, people raise awareness through Movember, the movement dedicated to men’s health issues, including physical health concerns like prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Movember reminds us that men also experience mental health struggles, even though they might not always talk about it.
Why Talk About Men’s Mental Health?
Mental health doesn’t discriminate – it affects everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, or ethnicity. While conversations around men’s health in November often focus on physical wellness, it’s equally crucial to recognize how mental health affects men, both on the inside and out. And understanding mental health means confronting the stigma surrounding it.
What is Stigma?
Stigma is a term we hear often, but what does it really mean? The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines stigma as fear or lack of understanding that leads to inaccurate, sometimes hurtful, ideas about mental illness. There are different types of stigma that impact people’s lives:
Public stigma: Negative views society holds about mental illness.
Self-stigma: When someone feels shame or judgment about their own mental health.
Structural stigma: When policies or institutional practices restrict opportunities for people with mental health conditions.
Stigma doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with mental health; it also impacts the people around them – family, friends, and caregivers.
Masculinity and Mental Health
The way society defines “masculinity” can significantly impact men’s mental health. In Western culture, masculine ideals often emphasize traits like self-reliance, emotional control, and physical strength. These expectations are not separate from the same patriarchal masculinity that feminism seeks to dismantle. Men, too, are shaped by these norms, which reinforce rigid roles and discourage vulnerability. As a result, some men may feel pressure to hide their emotions, fearing that showing vulnerability makes them appear “unmasculine.”
Breaking through these barriers requires safe, supportive spaces where men can express themselves without judgment. It’s essential to provide environments where men feel they can share openly and explore a broader, healthier understanding of masculinity. Think about it: How do you personally define masculinity? How might these definitions shape how men express themselves in certain careers or situations?
Research shows that the pressure to “be a man” can prevent men from reaching out for help, keeping painful emotions locked inside. The idea that admitting distress is a sign of weakness is part of what keeps some men from seeking the support they need.
Depression, Expression, and Repression
For men experiencing mental health conditions like depression, symptoms can look different than we might expect. Research has shifted to look more closely at how men and women experience depression differently. In men, depression may manifest as irritability, aggression, substance use, or risk-taking behavior, rather than sadness alone. Other symptoms might include fatigue, sexual difficulties, and lower self-esteem. In fact, men experiencing depression are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
The Healing Power of Therapy
One thing many men don’t realize is that simply having a space to voice their thoughts can be incredibly healing. For a lot of men, therapy is the first time they’re encouraged to talk openly about their feelings, fears, or worries. It can be intimidating at first – there may be nerves about how to express what they’ve kept private for so long. But therapy offers a chance to finally give voice to what’s been deeply internalized, and that act of expression alone can be powerful. The therapeutic space allows men to hear their own thoughts aloud, sometimes for the first time, and this process can foster a new understanding of themselves.
Sexuality and Depression
Research shows a connection between sexuality and depression. Sexual minorities, such as gay and bisexual men, are more likely to experience mental health issues compared to heterosexual men, often due to experiences of discrimination and prejudice. It’s a reminder that mental health challenges don’t always fall into neat categories – each person’s experience is unique.
Reaching Out for Help
Mental health struggles can build up over time, and they often go untreated due to stigma and internalized shame. Treatments today aim to break down this resistance by addressing stigma and redefining what it means to seek help. Remember, it’s never too late to reach out. The journey to well-being is about taking one step at a time. As UFC fighter Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett said, "I’d rather have my mate cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week." Watch here: Paddy Pimblett on Men’s Mental Health. So, check in with yourself and the men in your life – small conversations can make a big difference.
Comments