Men’s Mental Health Matters ✊🏼
Did you know that Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day is observed in Canada every year on the Tuesday leading up to Father’s Day? Recognized by the Canadian Mental Health Association, this day was first proclaimed in Ottawa in 2014. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of how signs and symptoms of mental health conditions may present themselves differently in men, and to normalize conversations about mental health issues to reduce the stigma that often prevents men from seeking help.
Before we delve into men’s mental health, it is imperative to know why men don’t reach out for help regarding their mental health. The table below outlines important factors about men’s mental health and their cognitive hesitation.
Mental Health Symptoms in Men
We have covered the barriers which exist within an individual man and in the social milieu surrounding him which can prevent him from seeking mental health support. Depression affects a man’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior in addition to the body.
One should keep in mind that although many of the factors listed below are common between people of all genders, the list primarily highlights the symptoms which have been reported by medical practitioners that they have observed in men who reached out to them for mental health support, especially for depression.
- Depressed Mood or Irritable: For a large part of the day, one feels ‘down’, instead of feeling upbeat and cheerful. Feeling irritable and picking up unnecessary fights should also be noticed.
- Fatigue or Loss of Energy: One feels low on energy even without exertion. Resting or sleeping does not make you feel more energized.
- Feeling Worthless: One tends to feel unworthy of themselves – this feeling is often unrealistic and can be coupled with guilt.
- Change in Activity: Carefully observe if your speech, thought, and actions (movement) have slowed. Conversely, also pay attention if you’ve become more jittery, agitated, and jumpy.
- Concentration: Reduced concentration is often observed in those battling with depression. Check if you’re unable to make concrete and rational decisions.
- Suicidality: In many depressed men, suicidal ideation gets activated. They may chalk out a plan to kill themselves. Suicidal contemplation takes place.
- Change in Sleep: Notice if you have any alterations in your sleeping patterns. The needle could swing towards either of the sides - you might suddenly start sleeping a lot much beyond your set schedule or your sleep hours may drastically reduce. This might further make you feel groggy and fatigued.
- Decreased Interest: Losing interest in hobbies, sports, movies, and other pleasurable activities is a signal which must not be ignored.
Now that we have a broad understanding of the ways in which depression and other disorders affect men’s mental health, let us move on to know some ways in which we can help the men in our lives by sharing some suggestions and tips.
Mental Health Tips for Men
Caring for one’s mental health is as important as caring for one’s physical health. An individual’s mental health contributes to their overall well-being. Men’s mental health is often not given enough importance. Therefore, it becomes even more important for men to take care of their own mental health. Below are a few ways in which men can care for their mental health.
- Exercise and Stay Healthy: Men’s mental health is related to their physical health. Thus, eating a balanced diet, limiting the intake of alcohol and other intoxicants, getting a regular full-body health check-up, resting adequately, exercising regularly, etc. can be of great help in staying fit and active.
- Build Relationships: Forging healthy relationships with those around us can help us deal with our mental health efficiently. One can work to develop stronger bonds with friends, co-workers, classmates, family, etc.
- Be Grateful: It can be hard to see the positive side of things when one is struggling with their mental health. But counting one’s blessings and thinking/journaling about positive things in one’s life can help.
- Identify and Use Your Strengths: Men’s mental health can be tricky. It can make a man doubt his abilities or may even make him forget his strengths. Use your strengths positively to contribute to society - this can help in creating meaning and purpose.
- Create Flow: A flow state is defined as a state that is so enjoyable that one tends to lose track of time. This takes place when the activity adequately challenges you but also keeps you involved.
- Give to Others: In order to enhance social well-being, it is recommended that one gets involved with their community. Volunteering and other forms of meaningful work can evoke a sense of contribution in a man. Indulge in activities that you enjoy.
- Religion or Spirituality: To keep oneself centered, it is important to be involved in religious or spiritual practices. Men’s mental health can be taken care of by tai chi, yoga, prayer, mindfulness, meditation, etc.
Resources and Support
If you or a man in your life is struggling with his mental health, it is best to be empathetic towards him and share the resources below which may motivate him to seek timely help. The following Canadian organizations are working tirelessly to support men's mental health.
- BounceBack: BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or maybe feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable, or angry.
Website: https://bouncebackontario.ca/
- Ride Don’t Hide: Ride Don’t Hide is a welcoming, inclusive event that brings together friends, families, and community members to move more, stress less, and cope better.
Website: https://cmha.donordrive.com/
- Peer Support Canada: Peer support is emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness. A Peer Supporter has lived through that similar experience and is trained to support others.
Website: https://peersupportcanada.ca/
- HeadsUpGuys: HeadsUpGuys is a program of The University of British Columbia (UBC) and has a team of clinicians, researchers, and mental health advocates who bring together their expertise and personal experiences.
Website: https://headsupguys.org/