First and foremost, it is important to note that men discuss their mental health more than before. The idea that a man has to be strong and keep his emotions in is slowly but surely ebbing away, with influential figures discussing their mental health in open and raw ways.
However, damaging stereotypes still remain, and it is hard for men to shake the ideals of toxic masculinity imposed upon them. The unfortunate truth is most men feel they cannot cry and are struggling to deal with their emotions, still processing them through unhealthy outlets.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, men are 3x more likely than women to die by suicide. In addition, men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women, with 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies being for men.
So how are men handling their mental health? It is difficult to generalize, as each individual is different, and pushing all men into the same category does not help the issue. Looking at the coping mechanisms some men use is vital when checking for warning signs if someone is struggling with their mental health.
These traits are not exclusive to men, with some women adopting these coping mechanisms as well. However, the Mental Health Foundation lists these actions as more common in men than women.
Escapist Behavior
A common sign someone is struggling with their mental health is when they are looking for distractions. We all do it when feeling down, but avoiding our problems can make them worse. Men are more likely to throw themselves into escapist behavior, such as working more when their mental health is poor.
Furthermore, as an escape from reality, some men seek the comfort of escorts. Whether in London or they visit Leeds escorts, men up and down the UK see the value in visiting a companion more than a therapist. Reddit forums contain accounts from escorts who reveal their clients talk to them about deep and personal stuff, a form of therapy for them.
The long waiting lists on the NHS or the cost of therapy can be a barrier to men seeking traditional psychological treatment. Men may not even go to escorts with therapy in mind, but the intimacy may help them reveal stuff about themselves they otherwise couldn’t have done.
Increased drug/alcohol abuse
As a form of risk-taking, alcohol or drugs can become a crutch for anybody struggling with mental health. That relief from drinking and forgetting your problems is a form of escape, but it can often worsen mental health. It can lead to your emotions coming out in unintended ways, from aggression to increasing depression, often making issues spiral out of control and, unfortunately, lead to suicide.
Less likely to access regular therapy
As mentioned, men are less likely to access therapy. Society’s gender stereotypes do not allow men to discuss their feelings openly. Additionally, men are less likely to go to the doctor, preventing a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, meaning they are not getting the proper medication or help to control their condition from worsening.
Men tend not to discuss their feelings, some thinking it is unmanly and stopping them from accessing therapy, which can be a good way of helping their mental health.
How can we help male mental health?
Open discussions about male mental health in the media are needed to keep this issue illuminated, so people are working towards helping it. However, it is difficult to pinpoint one method to ‘solve’ this issue. We still live in a patriarchal society which negatively impacts both men and women if they do not behave in a certain way. Until that is re-evaluated, neither will be free of the mental health issues that stem from this.
In the meantime, all we can do is be there for people. Whilst some men may not be ready to talk, keeping an eye on how they feel and extending kindness where you can is a great way to help without invading their privacy.
Additionally, look out for warning signs in their behavior, such as increased alcohol consumption or increased aggression. Guiding them towards resources that can make them feel better is a way of helping them. If you are worried about another person or want to talk to someone about your mental health, there are a variety of charities out there that can help.