The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that men die from suicide at a significantly higher rate than women. Why is Men’s Mental Health often put on the back burner? Good question. With June being Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it gives us an opportunity to shed some light on this important topic.
Why do Men die more from Suicide?
To answer that question, let’s start with a few more known facts that contribute to the problem.
- Men are more likely to develop alcohol use problems.
- They are also less likely to seek professional help for depression than women.
- Men are two to three times more likely to use drugs as a coping solution.
- Depression and suicide are leading causes of death for men.
Given that risk for men is so high, why don’t we seek help? In our society, men are often taught to be strong and quiet. Often times, men worry that seeking help will be an indication of vulnerability. Suppressing your feelings can make mental health worse. These feelings can result in a depressed mood and even chronic health problems.
Historically, men are raised to be stoic and not talk about their feelings. It’s not that men necessarily suffer from more mental health issues than women (actually the opposite is true). Men are programmed to be less “communicator” and more the “problem solver.” This can result in interference in relationship interactions.
In short, men aren’t getting the help they need so more severe symptoms, like suicide, happen more often. So, what can be done to help?
Therapy is not so scary. I promise.
It takes strength to seek help, but the good news is that talking about feelings through therapy becomes less scary over time. With therapy, relationship interactions begin to improve.
Historically, hurt in men tends to manifest more often as anger, unintended anger or irritability. It is not uncommon that I encounter men in therapy who have some fear of taking emotional stock of their internal state. I often see and hear from clients that their initial resistance to getting help is fear. They are afraid that if they start opening up about past hurts, it will be like taking the lid off of Pandora’s box and then he will not be able to get it closed again.
One analogy I like to use is that going to therapy over time is like shaking a pop bottle. If you open the bottle quickly, you will have a mess of sticky soda everywhere. But, through therapy, we only let a little of the bubbles escape each time we “open” your thoughts. Eventually you can take your thumb off of the bottle completely and it won’t erupt. Ironically, the more a person shares his feelings, the more control he has over those feelings.
What does therapy look like?
Frankly, whatever you want it to look like. Some men may go to therapy to talk about big issues like past molestation or emotional and physical abuse. Perhaps, he had an absent father that shaped who they have become as a man.
The idea that there has to be something “big” for therapy to be needed is a myth. That simply couldn’t be further from the truth. Therapy can also be used to address seemingly smaller issues like difficulty with emotions, relationship issues related to intimacy and affection, daily tress, and anxiety.
The bottom line? Men getting in touch with their feelings is a good thing. It is not an indication of being soft or less masculine. Mental health services can help you be a better son, father, co-worker, human, and a better person for yourself. If you are ready, please reach out to learn more or to request an appointment.
