Movember is an annual event dedicated to making a difference in the lives of men. This covers three serious health issues men face, such as – prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues which unfortunately leads to even suicidal thoughts. Movember also encourages men to grow mustaches during the month of November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health.
MEN + MENTAL HEALTH
A good mental health is a state of being psychologically fit and free of any emotional health imbalance or illness. In this article we are focusing on the disorders that affect mental health of men and the aftermath.
When it comes to men and mental health, there exist s societal pressures that promote the ‘strong, silent type’ men who should be able to take everything in their pace, no matter the severity or nature of what they experience. This mentality not only leads to the suppression and denial of negative thoughts, it also stops men from seeking help from mental health professionals.
In addition to suicidal tendencies there are other issues destructive to men’s mental health such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, sexual addiction. These imbalances evidently affect a man’s day to day life.
Below are the most common mental health problems that affect men:
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Work Stress
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Depression
A MAN TOO BUSY TO TAKE CARE OF HIS HEALTH IS LIKE A MECHANIC TOO BUSY TO TAKE CARE OF HIS TOOLS – SPANISH PROVERB
Social Connectedness and Not-Talking
Many men don’t talk much and take action when they need emotional support and as a result end up struggling with many emotional health problems. Even bursting out in tear is considered less manly, it is then when men are forced to hide their emotions.
Not talking and expressing one’s emotion leads to an accumulation of mentally challenging problems. Eventually the affected person cannot bear the weight anymore and he will start showing physical symptoms like weight loss or gain, weak immune system and sleeplessness.
Consequences caused in men due to such mental illness are not limited to the following:
- Aggressiveness
- Sleeping problems
- Diminishing concentration
- Drug misuse
- Engaging in high risk activities
PLAN A CHANGE
Opening up is the primary way to deal with mental problems. See looking after your wellbeing and mental health as a responsibility to yourself, loved ones. Small changes can make a real difference.
Talk to friends, your loved ones and do not hesitate to get help from professionals. Clinical Psychologists and Psychotherapists have all been professionally trained to help people with psychological distress or mental illness.
At OPENMINDS Centre we’re passionate about helping people build skills for a better life in the areas of Wellbeing, Mental Health and Performance. We draw on evidence-based approaches and our experience as clinical and consulting psychologists to work with people to make positive changes.
