This month honors many noble things, but as a man who had battled with certain obstacles when it comes to mental health, I had to take a moment to share some thoughts on men’s mental health as a whole. The numbers are startling and suggest that a yearly average recently of 525,000 men decide to take their own life while battling mental illness, addiction and more. This amongst many other reasons is why I wanted to write about this today.
1 in 5 men experience mental health disorders from anxiety to depression and more. Addiction is often intertwined within these disorders that we as men often feel because we turn to self medication. Also stigmas tend to cause barriers as well because as men we seldom want to be looked at in a light that could make us look inadequate in any way. Perceptions of weakness and more keep many men from getting the help that they need.
Men are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide as it is the seventh leading cause of death for men. That statistic needs to change. It highlights the importance of speaking on these things and bringing forth awareness. Many men are underdiagnosed as well when they do go to seek help. Also cultural beliefs and factors may contribute to this as well being that unfortunately masculinity poses expectations often via society. Emotional suppression is also slowly taking us out.
Traditional masculinity promotes emotional suppression. We are taught that the expression of feelings displays weakness in may cases. This often increases mental health issues. Many men turn to substance abuse to quell emotions throughout the day. Drink or use to go numb and push through is often the approach that should not be applied but unfortunately too many times is. Combining substance abuse with already existing mental health issues only increase the percentage of things to go bad.
Early intervention is key when it comes to mental health issues or addiction. Recognizing symptoms and seeking needed help before things grow for the worst is so important. I encourage anyone struggling with mental illness to not give up on finding a therapist or support group so you can be heard like the one we facilitate every weekend here at Believe Detox Center. Find a place to be heard. Everyone that is struggling needs that becuase the place you don’t want to be on is an island.
Find and establish a support system that is going to work for you. Over time you will identify who and what you need in terms of support. It is a process and one of trial and error, but with effort, you will find the help you need. I personally find it important to find new pathways in recovery as time progresses and experience shifts things. Getting the help you need, implementing a plan and continuing in it means that it will be a marathon versus a sprint.
All in all this month allows the opportunity to bring awareness to a needed topic like men’s mental health and others. Regardless to where you are in your journey with recovery, mental health and more, I want you to know that you are able to achieve the goals you set out in front of you when you get support around you. I want to encourage everyone to do an assessment of their support and ask themselves if any changes need to be made. On that note, we at Believe Detox Center want you to know that you are not alone, you got this, and we are here for you.
