Men’s Emotional Health
Richard Morden
An abundance of mystery or stigma regarding mental health can prevent people from talking about issues they may be experiencing in times of need. When people are finally ready for treatment, they often receive it in ways that reinforce the stigma and make them feel even worse.
Gender stereotypes—beliefs about how females or males “should” act or beliefs that were common in the past—can be a barrier to seeking help and treatment. Many were raised with the notion that these issue were not to be discussed. Men and boys may feel reluctant to discuss problems, they may believe that asking for help goes against social norms, or they may feel they’ll be a burden if they talk about mental health concerns.
- Mentor : Richard Morden
- Duration : 2 Hours / Meeting
- Level : Adult
- Format : On-Line
Engaging men and boys in communication about emotional and mental health by empowering them to seek help can improve outcomes. There is much talk about the advances we need to move forward with for addressing our emotional understanding which would improve our mental health. With these advances, it’s time to leave the stigma of mental health issues in the past. Men
may feel a stereotypical pressure to fix their own problems, but in reality, asking for help is a sign of strength.
Finally, we need to take steps to improve the overall quality of life for all people. What can you do? Try to create an environment where people feel free to express feelings without judgment or ridicule. Be empathetic: Recognize that everyone experiences challenges and difficulties in their lives. Don’t use the word “crazy” or make jokes about someone who is expressing feelings that are out of the ordinary for them. Show compassion instead: Say something like, “I understand what you are feeling. It sounds like things are tough right now.” Ask questions: If someone is expressing feelings or thoughts that are difficult for them, don’t assume you know what the answers are. Ask open-ended questions and allow the person to talk about their concerns.
Take an interest: Let the person know that you genuinely want to learn more about their situation and what they are going through. That might be the first step to helping them start to feel less alone. Be a role model: It can be difficult to reach out for help when there are so many negative role models around us. Don’t make excuses for people who choose not to change. Instead, be a positive role model by reaching out to others and helping them as much as possible.
There are so many people who are willing and eager to help others in need. But, we often prevent ourselves from receiving the help we need by being too proud, too stubborn or too anxious about what other people think. In my experience, people who overcome mental health concerns do not hide their progress from others; they are very open about it. They don’t brag about how well they are doing either. They don’t talk about their feelings because those feelings were part of the problem that got in their way.
As I have said many times before, we can’t always control what happens to us but we can always control our responses. And the truth is, when it comes to mental health, we often get stuck in a self-defeating pattern of denial and isolation. The good news is, with awareness and help, we can begin to change this. So let’s stop denying and start dealing with our issues instead. Let’s stop
hiding and start reaching out for help. And let’s start by reaching out to someone we love.
What are your suggestions for how men and boys can best support women and girls who are struggling with mental health concerns? How can the healthcare community do a better job of serving men and boys who are struggling with mental health concerns? Please share your ideas by posting a comment below. I would be very interested in reading them.
- Mentor : Richard Morden
- Duration : 2 Hours / Meeting
- Level : Adult
- Format : On-Line