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Men and Mental Health



Boys from a very young age receive tons of messages from society, family, and friends that they must be strong because showing vulnerability or reaching out for help are signs of weakness. These messages, when carried into adulthood, can become "toxic masculinity". Toxic masculinity can make it difficult to express emotions, which is common.

The way our society thinks about masculinity perpetuates this stigma around men's mental health. Men's and boys' mental health is frequently disregarded and neglected. Women are known as emotional beings and tend to express feelings easily as compared to men. Men like women, experience anxiety, depression, and mental illness. It is crucial to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and to remind males that getting help, expressing feelings, and seeking counseling are not only good but also necessary.

In recent years, our society has made significant progress in recognizing the significance of men’s mental health and well-being. But we still have a long way to go. Acceptance of mental illness is the first step, followed by active treatment. Men do not generally show psychological distress or sadness. Instead, they may behave irritated, aggressive, or hostile, making experts and loved ones more likely to ignore warning signs. It's always a good idea to approach a man you suspect is struggling and needs help as sometimes they are simply waiting for someone to ask about their feelings

A bestseller - Man Enough by Justin Baldoni is an amazing book that addresses toxic masculinity and men’s mental health. Justin Baldoni said “See if you can use the same qualities that you feel make you a man to go deeper, your strength, your bravery, your toughness: Are you brave enough to be vulnerable? Are you strong enough to be sensitive? Are you confident enough to listen to the women in your life? ”  Real men go to therapy and work on themselves. Men from all walks of life are speaking up, sharing, and raising awareness of how being aware of your “emotions” is simply human and not weak.

Celebrities like Zayn Malik, Shawn Mendes, and Pete Davidson went public about their experiences with anxiety, eating disorders, and chronic depression. They have emphasized the benefits of seeking mental health treatment and using effective coping mechanisms as well. They have been successful in raising awareness of the variety of ways that people might "seek help." There are options in addition to traditional talk therapy, including art therapy, meditation, yoga, tai chi, CBT, and REBT.

So, the change is coming. There is optimism that the stigma around mental health will eventually disappear. Progress is slow but steady. It is human to vent feelings, seek support, engage in active treatment, and heal from our mental struggles.



Drishti Juthani

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