Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

By Thomas Shaki

Real strength lies in self-awareness, not Repression. June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to break the silence around men's mental health, which has often been clouded by the stereotype of “Man Up.”
According to research, 1 in 10 men struggle with depression or anxiety, while less than half seek treatment. To shed more light on this, mental health among men often goes untreated because they are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than women. Depression and suicide are ranked as the leading causes of death among men. Men (79% of 38,364) die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women. They also die due to alcohol-related causes at 62,000 in comparison to women at 26,000. Men are also two to three times more likely to misuse drugs than women, according to the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2017. 

We have all heard phrases like “Man up,” “Boys don’t cry,” and “Don’t act like a girl.” We need to realize the impact of these words on men's mental health. Let's go down this lane. If you throw these words at a man, you'll be subjecting him to silence, suppressing his emotions, and most importantly, making it hard for him to reach out for support. And when this happens, he will fall for remission, pushing away unwanted thoughts and feelings from conscious awareness.

When men repress their emotions and avoid seeking help, they may turn to substance abuse as a way to cope with underlying mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma. This can lead to a cycle of substance abuse, further exacerbating mental health problems. Substance abuse in men can occur through self-medication, where they use substances like alcohol to numb emotions and alleviate symptoms of depression. They are also likely to abuse substances for escapism, a temporary escape from difficult emotions and stress.

As we celebrate Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to highlight that self-awareness and seeking help are crucial. Let us encourage men to embrace intimacy, empathy, and their feelings. Let us create a space for the men in our lives by opening the door to loving conversations and creating environments where vulnerability feels safe. When we do this, we will reduce the likelihood of men turning to substance abuse.