- It is the time of the year when the focus is on men’s mental health
- Men face many triggers which could affect their mental health on a daily basis but are often neglected
- TheRadar speaks with an experienced clinical psychologist to shed more light on men’s mental health-related issues
Iyinoluwa Tikare is an experienced clinical psychologist who holds a Master's degree from the University of Ibadan and an addiction certification from Harvard Medical School. She is a member of numerous associations of psychologists locally and internationally. She currently works as a Clinical Psychologist at Priory Hospital. She spoke with TheRadar on men's mental issues and how to prevent them.
Can you provide an overview of men's mental health and why it is important to focus on it?
Mental health, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) is the state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the normal stresses of life, realise their abilities, work productively, and contribute meaningfully to their community. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to next, with different degrees of difficulties and distress.
Research has shown that males are reluctant to talk about their mental health and are more likely to die by suicide than females. Men often avoid getting help for their psychological issues. Males find themselves struggling with prescriptive ideas about gender and therefore find it hard to seek help.
How does men's mental health typically differ from women's mental health?
"Sex differences in mental health typically emerged across late childhood and adolescence" (Simon Rice).
This is when gender becomes more established, and this continues to shape mental health and help-seeking behaviours. There are stigmas and cultural beliefs associated with men and these beliefs can affect men's mental health. There are some mental disorders more prevalent in men than women, and there are some mental disorders more prevalent in women than men.
Mental health issues can also manifest differently in men and women. This could be as a result of their views on mental health. In some instances males might likely see doctors about physical symptoms rather than emotional symptoms.
What are some common mental health issues that men face?
Some of the common mental health issues men experience are; Suicidal behaviour, anxiety, substance abuse or dependence, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, intermittent explosive disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and sexual dysfunctions.
Are there particular mental health disorders that are more prevalent in men compared to women?
Yes. Mental disorders such as substance misuse or abuse, intermittent explosive disorders, psychosis, male sexual dysfunctions, suicide, and so on.
What are some everyday factors that can affect the mental health of men?
They include stress, financial issues, stigma, toxic work environment, physical illness, genetics, age, unhealthy relationships, alcohol or substance misuse, perceptions, cultural contexts/ values, and family dynamics.
How do societal expectations and traditional gender roles impact men's mental health?
Men are often expected to be strong, to man up, be self-reliant, to be resilient, to be dominant, and to be emotionally restrained. These expectations can result in internalising emotions in men and causing mental issues in men. Men have traditionally been less likely to seek help because of societal expectations.
What are some early signs and symptoms that might indicate a man is struggling with a mental health issue?
Some early signs include; poor sleep, irritability, aggression, alcohol/ substance misuse, social withdrawal, low energy level, poor concentration, mood swings, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, loss of appetite and suicidal ideations and attempts.
What are the risk factors for depression in men?
Some risk factors of depression in men include family history of depression, chronic physical illnesses, loneliness, negative life events such as trauma, financial instability, work-related issues and stress are some of the risk factors of depression in men.
Can you explain the different types of anxiety disorders that men might suffer from?
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition that causes one to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event. People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.
As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.
Another anxiety disorder is panic disorder. This disorder comes with intense feelings of anxiety, stress, and panic regularly at any time for no reason.
There is also Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have problems sleeping and find concentrating difficult. These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life.
The causes of PTSD can include serious road accidents, childhood experiences, violent personal assaults, serious health problems, etc.
Then there is social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations.
It is a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years. It can be very distressing and have a big impact on someone's life.
For some people it gets better as they get older. But for many people it does not go away on its own without treatment.
How does anxiety typically present in men?
Men can present with anger and irritability as part of their anxiety symptoms. Other symptoms include; fatigue, tension, sweating, trembling, fear of social situations, social withdrawal, restlessness, poor sleep, etc.
Why do men often hesitate to seek help for mental health issues?
Some of the reasons why men hesitate to ask for help when they have mental health issues are the pressure around societal expectations, traditional gender roles, shame, stigma, and reluctance to talk about their problems.
What can be done to encourage men to seek professional help when they need it?
Creating awareness, having a good support system, encouraging open communications about mental health, having accessible and supportive resources for seeking assistance, addressing the stigma associated with male vulnerability and emotional expression and normalising seeking help as a sign of strength and being courageous.
How important are support systems (family, friends, community) in the mental health of men?
It is very important that men have a good support system. Building and having a good support system helps in managing mental health conditions appropriately and could also prevent mental health conditions because it is a protective factor. It is very important that men have good people in their corner.
What role do peer support groups play in helping men with mental health issues?
Research has shown that peer support groups yield improvement in mental illnesses resulting in decreased hospitalisation, larger social support networks and enhanced self-esteem and social functioning.
Peer support groups in mental health allow people with similar lived experiences to listen, share, and encourage one another.
What preventive measures can men take to maintain good mental health?
Seek Professional help when overwhelmed, talk about your feelings, prioritise sleep, eat well, build a good support system, identify unhealthy coping mechanisms, build positive relationships, set healthy boundaries, track gratitude journal, exercise, and celebrate your wins.
Are there any cultural stigmas attached to men’s mental health that need to be addressed?
Men may be silent in the face of mental illness due to external stigmas and social stereotypes shown by groups including work colleagues, friends, and family members, the media and other elements of society. If we want to tackle men’s mental health issues, then this external stigma must be documented and addressed.
How does media portrayal of masculinity impact men’s mental health?
Masculinity is a set of cultural and social expectations placed upon men, and this can indeed impact mental health.
The masculinity expectations are toughness, mentally strong, rejecting help, should be self-sufficient; men are deemed worthy because of financial status and power. These expectations can have a negative impact on men's mental health.
It’s crucial to challenge these norms, promote emotional well-being, and encourage men to seek support when needed.
Are there any specific policies that could better support men's mental health?
Legislative measures, educational programmes, and public awareness campaigns are all necessary components of a comprehensive strategy for men's mental health by lowering stigma, expanding access to care, and creating supportive environments.
What steps can be taken to improve awareness of men’s mental health issues?
Make help-seeking behaviours commonplace: encourage open communication, and motivate men to seek help. They are human and it is okay for them to experience ups and downs in life. They can seek help when they are overwhelmed, men can get timely support if the treatments are available and made culturally sensitive as well as if options are more widely publicised. It is important to understand the relationships between men's experiences with mental health. Interventions designed to address the unique needs of men from a variety of backgrounds help close care gaps and advance fair access to mental health treatments.