Men’s Issues: Helping Men Seek Mental Health Services

It is hard to see a person you love and care about struggling. When it comes to mental health issues in men, most of us feel like we are on the sidelines. We feel unable to do anything to help them seek the help they need. It can be disempowering knowing that there is help out there, but your loved one is not ready or is unwilling to get it. This could be a brother, partner, or male friend. Getting men to address their mental health can be a huge challenge.

It is helpful to know that you are not alone. It has long been documented that men do find it harder to recognize, accept, and seek help for issues to do with mental health. Although half of the population is male, they are tragically overrepresented with 75% of all suicides being committed by men.

Understanding why men struggle to reach out for help can be a starting point. By understanding the reasons, society and loved ones can be equipped with tools how to reach men in need. Below are some barriers men face.

Barriers To Seeking Help For Men’s Issues

Lack of Awareness Men might not recognize symptoms of mental health issues due to lack of education. They might attribute certain behaviors and physical ailments to other factors than the fact that they might have a treatable mental health disorder. Though awareness campaigns have ramped up over the past couple of years, there is still a lot to be done to capture the male audience concerning understanding mental health.

Assumed Ineffectiveness of Therapy A huge deterrent for many men seeking help for mental health issues is the belief that psychotherapy does not work. Because psychotherapy involves talking to someone, some men get skittish. They verbalize doubt in the process with comments such as, “Talking doesn’t solve anything, doing does!”

Lack of representation For those who come in for psychotherapy of any kind, creating a therapeutic alliance between clients and mental health professionals is vital. Because the industry is female-heavy, men might struggle to seek help. This is not that women are not qualified to do the job, it’s just that men sometimes feel comfortable talking to and listening to other men.

The lack of representation is also true when it comes to race. In America, there are fewer non-white mental health professionals. Though someone from another race can do the job, sometimes a lack of cultural understanding and validation can be a huge barrier. For Black, Latino, and Asian men, it can be difficult to find someone they think will understand their plight from a cultural perspective.

Cost of Therapy This can be especially true for those who come from poor or marginalized communities. Therapy is expensive. Even if a man knows he needs mental health help, he may be unable to access it because of cost. The lack of healthcare infrastructure in the vicinity of the interested person also contributes to attendance issues. Mental health services then become something only the rich can access.

Stigma Shrinks. That is the derogatory term used to describe therapists, counselors, and anyone who does mental health work. This term further increases the stigma attached to seeking mental health help. Although stigma around mental health issues is prevalent, it is more pronounced for men.

For a man to seek the services of a mental health professional, they first have to admit that they need help. This goes against everything they have been taught about what it means to be a man. Traditional masculinity awards and expects self-reliance, stoicism, strength, and emotional control.

Negative Impact on Career Men fear that if they seek help, they might be viewed as incompetent when it comes to their careers. They become reluctant to seek any assistance since most companies and organizations lack proper Employee Wellness systems that create safe spaces for men needing help.

Most organizations prioritize physical health only. They have gym and health benefits that target physical health but fail to invest in the much-needed mental health facilities.

The Downside of Not Seeking Help

Physical Health Stress, anxiety, depression, and many other mental and emotional health issues will affect a person’s physical health. If they do not get the help they need, men are at risk of developing heart problems, high blood pressure, ulcers, and a weakened immune system. Another consequence of not seeking help immediately is that a problem that started as situational might develop into a chronic condition.

Adverse Coping Mechanisms Without the needed education on how to cope, men might not have healthy coping mechanisms. This is the reason for increased alcohol and drug use. These coping mechanisms can have detrimental consequences on their health and quality of life.

Family and Interpersonal Relationships It is difficult to build and maintain relationships when someone is struggling with mental health issues. Most times they become more controlling, abusive, irritable, and abrasive without understanding why. Isolation and withdrawal are also common in those who might have mental health issues. This can be hard to understand for their loved ones and they might not know how to help if they are not being granted access.

Professional Life Most mental health conditions diminish a person’s ability to be productive or function at the same level. Trying to meet targets and take care of work responsibilities becomes increasingly difficult as they might struggle with decision-making, focus, and or performance. They will notice this change and it can then exacerbate their situation as it makes them anxious about job security and being able to function like before.

Reduced Quality of Life– One major symptom of mental health issues is the inability to enjoy life anymore. They could have been an outgoing person with lots of friends but with their mental health compromised, this could change. With all these changes, they might struggle to recognize who they are becoming and suffer from an existential crisis.

Their quality of life might be reduced by their diminished ability to work and make money. Their financial well-being will be affected too. Also, adverse coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol can severely damage their social standing and have a direct effect on their ability to enjoy their life still.

How To Help a Loved One Seek Help

Loving someone who is struggling can be heart-wrenching. It is painful to watch them go through all the pain and sometimes it can feel like there is nothing you can do. The best we can be for the men in our lives who are going through mental health challenges is to be there for them in a loving and understanding manner. As much as it is within your power, it is always advisable to help them seek professional help, especially if symptoms worsen.

Something to understand is that they might not have the strength or emotional capacity to seek help. Depending on your relationship, you can look for the help your loved one needs. A way of making them more open to help is by having an honest conversation about what they are going through. They do not feel like their experience is a shameful thing. This way, your offer of help has more chance of being received.

Final Thoughts

As a society, we need to do more to address the mental health crisis men find themselves in. It is the job of all of us to start educating ourselves on how to appropriately address, advocate, and create safe spaces where people can find refuge.

Our attitude and understanding of manhood needs to be compassionate and accommodating. Our language in addressing mental health issues in men may also need to change for it to reach the intended audience. Our method of awareness must distinguish itself in teaching young men and women.

Reach Out for Support

If you or someone you love needs support in this area, please reach out to our office. We have counselors who are qualified to assist individuals, couples, and families.