Over the past decade, knowledge of men’s mental health has grown steadily as academics, health organizations and the media have increasingly drawn attention to the issue. Women are diagnosed with mood disorders or anxiety disorders much more often than men, so why is there a need to educate the general public about men’s issues? Men have been raised to be tough, stoic and “manly,” instead of being encouraged to talk about their emotions and show their vulnerability. Men are also less likely to seek help, and suffer in silence or adopt destructive strategies, such as substance abuse and risky behaviours.
Men in the UK are three times more likely than women to take their own life and suicide is the number one killer of men who die under the age of 45.
Suicide among men is considered a “silent epidemic” because of its alarming incidence and lack of public awareness.
Mental Health and Harm
Key figures :
- 1 man in 4 will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England
- 1 in 6 reports experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England
- 1 in 5 has suicidal thoughts
- 1 in 14 self-harms
- 1 in 15 has attempted suicide
Treatment
Many people diagnosed with mental illness achieve strength and recovery through participating in individual or group treatment. There are many different treatment options available. There is no treatment that works for everyone – individuals can chose the treatment, or combination of treatments, that works best : psychotherapy, medication, hospitalization, support group, peer support, complementary and alternative medicine.
https://www.rehabguide.co.uk/why-are-men-in-the-uk-committing-suicide/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/men-and-mental-health#:~:text=While%20there%20isn’t%20a,rather%20than%20talking%20about%20it.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-can-we-reduce-mens-mental-health-stigma#Reducing-the-stigma