The stigma around men’s mental health
Figures estimate that 9.3% of the global male population and 14% of the UK male population lived with a mental health disorder in 2017¹. A survey completed in 2019 found that 2 out of 3 men felt consumed by, or unable to handle the stress that they had experienced during that year². Furthermore, statistics show that approximately 75% of suicides in the UK are committed by males, therefore, actions are urgently needed!³
It has been suggested that men are less likely to access psychological therapies and in order to initiate the positive change, this hurdle needs to be overcome⁴. Raising awareness of men’s mental health is a priority. This hopefully will help to create a culture where men feel more comfortable seeking help.
The burden of social expectations
There is evidence showing that adherence to masculinity-related societal expectations is positively associated with poor men’s mental health⁵. Traditionally, masculinity is expressed through conformity to ideals such as self-reliance, dominance and stoicism⁶. Generally, our society is shifting away from these stereotypes. However, research suggests that 1 in 8 men⁷ experiences at least one of the common mental health disorders (e.g depression, OCD, anxiety, etc) and these societal expectations might prevent them from speaking about their issues⁸.
Financial stress
It has been found that 32% of men feel that work is one of the biggest stressors in their life and 31% of them feel the same way about finances⁹. Traditionalist views suggest that men are the breadwinners of the family¹⁰. While this is changing, research suggests that this role is associated with increased stress¹¹. Furthermore, evidence suggests that financial issues could be one of the causes of depression in men¹². In addition, a study that investigated suicidal risk factors found that employment status may have had an impact of committing suicide according to descendants’ family and friends¹³.
Men don’t feel so comfortable to seek help
One study by the Mental Health Foundation¹⁴ found the majority of men surveyed were uncomfortable with openly talking about their issues, with only 24% of men who experienced high-stress levels talking about their problems. Male stereotypes can decrease a man’s ability to express his feelings in a public setting, resulting in “silent suffering”¹⁵, and potentially heightened distress¹⁶.
Talking about your emotions can help share the burden and support your mental health¹⁷. Therefore, it is important for men, and women alike, to share their worries and avoid building tensions, which could otherwise escalate into more serious problems¹⁷. Further research is required to better understand how gender stereotypes may increase the risk of mental health disorders, specifically in men¹⁸.
Reducing the stigma
We need to raise the awareness among everybody in the public about the prevalence and seriousness of mental health issues among men and encourage men themselves to seek help – for example, Movember¹⁹ is an organisation that funds projects that help to do that¹⁴.
According to the Men's Health Forum, there is a need to design targeted programmes to specific subgroups²⁰. For example, unemployed men or men part of the BAME community are at higher risk of developing mental health issues and their needs and viewpoints should be taken into consideration²⁰.
In order for men to have better access to mental health care, the barriers that prevent that need to be eliminated. For instance²¹:
- Improving online systems and increasing access to mental health services.
- Workplaces need to start addressing the stigma around topics, such as men’s mental health, eating disorders, etc.
- Increase the use of self-help groups and services led by other men.
If someone opens up to you, listen to them and try to support this person as much as you can. You can also direct them first to their GP and also relevant charities that could offer support.
If you would like to learn more about this topic check out the resources below:
Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/man-up-getting-more-men-in-mental-health/
Men’s health forum
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/key-data-mental-health
CALM
SAMARITANS
Instagram accounts to follow:
@julesvonhep
@i_weigh
@movember
@libbyshappyproject
@bopo.boy
@theeverymanproject
Reference list:
1. https://ourworldindata.org/mental-health
2. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/our-work-mens-mental-health
4. https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/key-data-mental-health
5. https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/cou-cou0000176.pdf
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735816300046
9. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health
10.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X03259144
11.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0891243210371621
12.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/index.shtml
13.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2698248/
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23454665/
16.https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/68884/a85573.pdf
17.https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/talking-through-problems
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734543/
19. https://uk.movember.com/about/mental-health
20. https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/design-targeted-programmes
21. https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/dont-wait-men-engage-especially-mental-health