We now know that the Covid-19 pandemic has not only affected our physical health but our mental health, too. And it’s clear that mental health issues are a lasting legacy of physical illness. So, there’s more acknowledgement of the need for good mental health – especially in men. But is it true that men’s mental health problems are being taken more seriously? Read on to find out more.
I don’t wish to shock you, but this can be answered in one word: suicide.
It’s a grim statistic, but in 2019, 5,691 men took their own lives. That’s three-quarters or 75% of all deaths by suicide, and that percentage hasn’t changed since the 1990s. In fact, suicide is the biggest cause of death for men aged under 35.
Men’s mental health problems are leading to suicide in a way that far exceeds cases among women. And that means we have to take it seriously.
Just like physical health problems, mental health problems can affect any of us and at any time. There aren’t any specifically male mental health problems though there are differences in how men and women respond to them.
Men are unlikely to talk about their mental health difficulties, which can worsen the situation. Think of a pressure cooker left on the heat! And while there isn’t a different sort of ‘male depression’, some symptoms are more common in men than women. These include irritability, sudden anger, increased loss of control, risk-taking and aggression.
The most common mental health problems affecting men are:
Many reasons why men suffer from poor mental health arise from outdated stereotypes of manhood and masculinity. Traditionally, men are supposed to be dependable and strong, but modern men are also expected to be in touch with their emotions. So what do you do if you find that confusing? Does it mean you’re not a ‘real’ man?
Social media is also a malign influence on men’s lives. In a report by MIND, 37% of men said social media harmed their lives. This was true for all age groups, especially those aged 25-44. Of these younger men, 23% said they were worried about their appearance.
And these fears are magnified on social media, where unrealistic images of ‘perfect’ bodies are constantly popping up. If you feel you don’t measure up, your self-esteem will suffer, leading to anxiety and depression.
For middle-aged men, the Samaritans discovered six themes involved in the rise of suicides:
Apart from MIND and the Samaritans, who support everyone, some organisations are dedicated to supporting and promoting men’s mental health. This is very encouraging, and it shows that there is a genuine desire to improve things. These organisations include:
And more and more celebrities are ‘coming out’ and talking about their own struggles with periods of poor mental health.
Prince William has been very open about his own difficulties, and he continues to raise awareness through the Royal Foundation. He also supports the FFA’s Heads Up initiative fronted by Gareth Southgate.
Finally, It seems that men would prefer using technology to help them when experiencing a mental health problem. MIND asked men what would make it easier for them to seek help:
And this ‘wish list’ can become real because this is what SupportRoom’s Employee Support Platform provides. So, why not read on to learn more about what we can do for you and your organisation?
At SupportRoom, we offer employee therapy for small to medium businesses. Our platform allows employees to receive therapy on-demand from a dedicated, qualified therapist. Our SME Employee Support platform is designed to give insightful data that allows your employees to track their progress and monitor their o
At SupportRoom, we offer employee therapy for small to medium businesses. Our platform allows employees to receive therapy on-demand from a dedicated, qualified therapist.
Our SME Employee Support platform is designed to give insightful data that allows your employees to track their progress and monitor their own mental and physical health.
Book a free demo here.