Time to Talk, Guys

Jason is an established and well-respected psychologist. He has provided guidance to national advisory boards, supported young professionals entering the field, and established innovative programs for those struggling with their mental health. During his decades in the profession, Jason himself has faced bouts of depression. He sought out the support he needed to recover but kept the experiences private—even with his knowledge of the realities of mental health, he knew that sharing his own story could be met with criticism and doubt.  

Recent research is shedding light on how pervasive depression is amongst males. However, men are generally not encouraged to talk about their emotions and there is also an expectation that they can tough out both physical and mental illness. 

The silence surrounding the issue of depression amongst men has led to a lack of support for them during major life transitions. Typically, women have a stronger network to sustain them through becoming a parent, changes in marital status, loss of employment, and the hormonal changes associated with aging. In comparison, these are sorely lacking for men. 

The most sobering indication of the extent of the problem is that suicide rates amongst men are much higher than they are for women. This statistical difference is present around the world and is not unique to North America.  

The key to change is finding ways to break the silence so that mental illness is not viewed as a weakness and men can easily access resources to know when, how, and where to reach for support. 

Symptoms of Depression 

The symptoms men experience when struggling with their mental health are often different from what we expect to see with depression. While women show sadness, men might be more likely to be irritable, angry, and even aggressive. Accordingly, the signs society and medical professionals watch for, may not be present. 

This difference in presentation may be, at least in part, due to the expectations associated with gender roles—men are supposed to be strong and in control and mental illness can be seen as a weakness. This can lead men to manage their mental health with negative coping tools, such as drugs and alcohol. In turn, this can result in health problems being misdiagnosed and not treated appropriately. 

Obstacles to Getting Help

Since society does not encourage men to talk about their emotions, it can be difficult for them to even recognize when they do have symptoms of mental illness. In research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, men identified symptoms of depression without realizing that’s what they were.  

There are also physical manifestations—such as irritable bowel syndrome, backache, or migraines—associated with depression. Unfortunately, the root cause often goes untreated.  

In addition to the challenges resulting from expectations based on gender, The World Health Organization has identified cultural stigma as a barrier to seeking help when struggling with mental health. These impediments to gaining access to support are worse for marginalized groups. 

Rethinking Men’s Health

To make a change, we must shift everyone’s thinking about men receiving support as a sign of weakness and instead consider it an important factor in maintaining good health. One element of this is to change the way doctors talk to men. A research study conducted in Australia showed that a health check-up list developed specifically for men helped patients move past their reservations about talking to their doctors. 

We also know that men are more likely to seek help if there is an option for reciprocity. For this reason, there is extraordinary value in offering community-based programs to counter isolation and encourage personal connection and discussion. This approach is also helpful for men who are often more comfortable seeking help in informal settings such as places of worship.  

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, reach out to your doctor and in urgent situations, there are crisis lines or the emergency department at the nearest hospital.  

Jason knows that if he has had trouble sharing his experiences, men with less understanding of mental health will have an infinitely harder time talking about their struggles and reaching for support. He recognizes that a seismic shift must occur for society to accept—and support—men dealing with mental health challenges. Jason says the key is that we be willing to talk—and do—something about it.