Men experience the full range of mental health issues, from disordered eating to anxiety to suicide. Surveys from around the world show that men anywhere find it difficult to open up about mental health, though they are significantly more at risk of attempting suicide than women.
A report from World Health Organization (2018)says; in high income countries, three times as many men as women die by suicide. The mental health of men and boys is often overlooked, even though it can take a significant toll on their lives. When ignored, mental health issues can affect physical health and life expectancy. Untreated mental health conditions can lead to high-risk behaviors including substance abuse, gambling and other forms of addiction. Unheeded emotional problems can also cripple a man’s ability to fully function in society and within his family.
Bottle up!
Brace up!
Man up!
Men are often expected to be the breadwinners and to be strong, dominant and in control. While these aren’t inherently bad things, they can make it harder for men to reach out for help and open up. In 2017, nearly 6000 suicides were recorded in Great Britain. Of these, 75% were men. Suicide is the largest cause of death for men under 50 and in this part of the world, Societal expectations and traditional gender roles play a role in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their mental health problems. We know that gender stereotypes about women – the idea they should behave or look a certain way, for example – can be damaging to them. But it’s important to understand that men can be damaged by stereotypes and expectations too.
IT IS OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY!!!!
If you’re worried about your mental health, here are 5 tips on how to stay mentally healthy.
1. Get plenty of sleep: Sleep is really important for our physical and mental health. Sleep helps to regulate the chemicals in our brain that transmit information. These chemicals are important in managing our moods and emotions. If we don’t get enough sleep, we can start to feel depressed or anxious.
2. Exercise: Exercise are essential in maintaining good mental health.Exercising can help eliminate low mood, anxiety, stress and feeling tired and lazy. It is also linked to living a longer life. You don’t need to run a marathon or play 90 minutes of football; a short walk or some another gentle activity might do the trick.
3. Do something you enjoy doing: Try to make time for doing the fun things you enjoy. If you like going for a walk, painting or a specific TV show, try to set aside time to enjoy yourself. If we don’t spend any time doing
4. Eat well : Good foods are not just important for our body but also for our minds. Try to eat a balanced diet, take fruits, veggies.
5. Take a break: Is there a place you can go to break away for a little while? Please go!!! Research shows that we need to take a break and decompress so we can be at our best at work—and at home. Maybe we should ask if the life we’re working so hard to create is fun to live? When was the last time you disconnected and took a vacation?
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– Ask for help: Good health is about being the best you can being your situation. It’s important to prioritize your physical , emotional, and social health by staying connected and seeking support early if something is wrong.
Yes you can be strong but you can’t be ‘too’ strong. Learn to attend to your mental health!
