Ever met men who wear their emotions like badges of honor? That’s the emotional men in my life! They are real gems. They’ve got this awesome talent for keeping it genuine. So, let’s have a closer look at mental health in men and what makes these guys so exceptional.
Whether it’s my hubby getting a bit misty-eyed during a heartwarming film or my buddy sharing his deepest thoughts, these guys make it clear that it’s cool to be in touch with your feelings. Those moments are a reminder that embracing our emotions is a fundamental part of our human journey.
Their openness has made our bonds even stronger, highlighting the beauty of being emotionally real.
“Dismantling Stigma, Nurturing Strength: Unveiling Men’s Mental Health,”
–Anjali Tripathi Upadhyay
Mental Health in Men
In recent times, Mental Health has been consistently discussed in public discourse, and this trend has extended to Men’s Mental Health as well. These discussions are crucial steps towards eliminating stigmas and providing support for men facing mental health issues. It’s a positive shift towards a more empathetic and caring society.
Is Mental Health Simply “Being Well”?
Mental health isn’t merely about “Being Well”; it’s about embracing the symphony of our thoughts and emotions. It’s about finding harmony within the chaos of life’s ups and downs.
Imagine it as a captivating novel, filled with plot twists and character development. It’s not just about reaching the last page; it’s about relishing every chapter, even the challenging ones, knowing that they contribute to the richness of the story. So, mental health is not a static state but an ongoing narrative of self-discovery and growth, and it’s a story worth embracing.
What do we consider mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are like the gremlins that mess with our minds. It’s basically when your brain decides to have a meltdown, causing you to experience all sorts of strange feelings or thoughts that can disrupt your regular life.
Don’t worry, though; Mental health struggles are pretty common, and lots of folks go through them.
What factors can affect our mental well-being?
Despite great progress, our understanding of mental health still has some limitations. We still have unsolved concerns about how our brain and its connections work, but we do know what variables can have a detrimental impact on our mental health. We can mention the following as examples:
- Biological factors encompassing genetics and brain functionality.
- Life events, particularly challenging ones such as trauma or abuse.
- A family history of mental health issues.
- Your daily routines, including dietary choices, physical activity levels, and substance use patterns.
The importance of paying attention to men’s mental health
Okay, let’s talk about feelings, and yes, guys, it’s cool to have them! Mental health can be trickier to read than a secret code, but understanding it is like finding the cheat code to life.
So, why should we care about our emotional well-being? Well, because it’s your guide to a happier you!
Facing Stigma
In our culture, there is a strong stigma that “real men don’t cry”, and “real men don’t ask for help.” Men who conform to conventional masculine norms are frequently hesitant to seek counseling or assistance because they have been taught that “talking about it won’t fix anything.”
This culture of stigma pushes men to suffer in silence, which can make their problems worse and make them feel even more alone and depressed.
To solve this problem, guys should learn from a young age that it’s okay to be vulnerable and talk about their feelings.
Mental health matters and it’s important to remember that it’s okay not to be okay every time; it’s a normal part of life.
Signs and symptoms
There are so many mental health issues that it would be hard to list all the different ways they show up. Symptoms of mental health problems vary on several things. But one thing stays the same: people around the person are usually the ones who notice changes.
Changes are sometimes small, like
- Changes in your eating or sleeping habits.
- Isolate yourself from people and activities you enjoy.
- Have no or little energy.
- Feeling empty or like nothing matters.
- Having unexplained aches and pains.
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, and drinking more than usual.
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, angry, upset, worried, or scared.
- Have severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships.
- Having thoughts and memories that you can’t get out of your head.
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true.
- Thinking about hurting yourself or others.
- Not being able to perform daily tasks such as taking care of your children or going to work or school.
Tips For Dealing With Mental Health in Men
Thinking what should you do if you think your man has mental health issues?
If you suspect that someone in your life, whether it’s your partner, family member, or friend, is dealing with a mental health issues, here are some essential steps you can take to support them:
- Talk It Out: When you suspect someone close is going through a tough mental patch, start with a heart-to-heart chat. Show you care, be a compassionate ear, and let ’em spill their thoughts and feelings with no judgment. Make it a safe space for them to open up.
- Become a Mental Health Guru: Dive into learning about the specific mental health issue they’re facing. Knowing the signs, triggers, and treatment options can help you be a better support buddy.
- Be the Great Listener: Sometimes, the best help you can give is simply being there to listen. Encourage them to share their experiences and emotions. Avoid interrupting or giving unsolicited advice—just let them vent.
- Encourage them to talk: Encourage them to talk to a mental health expert, like a therapist or counselor. You can offer to assist in finding resources or even go with them to appointments if they’re comfortable with it.
- Respect Their Choices: Respect their decisions regarding treatment. Some folks might be hesitant about professional help initially. Be patient, be their cheerleader, and avoid pushing them into something they’re not ready for.
- Lend a Hand: Help out with daily tasks they might be struggling with due to their mental health. Whether it’s cooking a meal, running errands, or tackling chores, every bit of assistance counts.
- Stay Connected: Keep the connection alive by checking in on them regularly. Loneliness can make mental health issues worse, so your company and care can make a world of difference.
- Encourage Self-Care: Encourage good habits like exercise, healthy eating, and regular sleep. These simple practices can work wonders for mental well-being.
- Be Patient: Recovery from mental health challenges isn’t a sprint; it’s more like a marathon with occasional detours. Expect setbacks along the way, and remember that patience and ongoing support are your superpowers.
- Don’t Forget About You: Helping someone with mental health challenges can take an emotional toll on you. Feel free to seek support or counseling for yourself to better handle the situation.
Wrap Up
Don’t expect miracles to occur after implementing these suggestions. This is a delicate subject, and progress takes time. Finally, keep in mind that discussing one’s mental health is difficult for everyone, not just guys.
However, as a friend, partner, or Parent, you can open the door and create the space necessary for your men and boys to begin having real, honest talks and receiving the help they need.
* Copyright in pictures and content belongs to messymom.co and cannot
be republished without the express permission of the author.
This post is a part of Truly Yours Holistic Emotions Blog Hop by Rakhi Jayashankar and Roma Gupta
Men’s Mental Health has been a neglected issue for so long, you have underlined the issue and outlined the remedies very well Anjlai.I especially like the images that you have designed, the one that says I felt sad and I cried and it is not a sign of weakness.
First of all, I appreciate you all my fellow bloggers who opted to pen down their thoughts and opinions on men’s mental and emotional health. I want to ask the world, do emotions know to discriminate between genders? I mean, when it’s sad, it’s simply sad, so what’s wrong if a man cries in front of public? I strongly dislike people who are like “real men don’t cry”, ” real men don’t cook”, “real men can’t dance” etc. I am glad that you have come across men who are honest at their emotions and never fear to express the genuine emotions in front of others. These people deserve love and respect.
I loved your post Anjali and my husband and son too get teary. My husband has stopped now though but the reason I saw as I read your complete blogpost, the action plan listed by you is so practical too🤗♥️
It is heartening to see that men’s mental health is being talked about. You have been lucky to have emotional men in your life. Most men stifle their emotions and suffer silently
I believe that just as a woman deals with this societal pressure of being a care giver a man faces pressure of being the bread winner. I have seen my husband being pressurised by the society when he was only 18 and lost his father. Entire family except his mom, sister and grand father wanted him to take up the job at the bank his father worked on compensatory grounds. His further studies were not important, he had to start making money. But he had a strong mom who took up the job and let him express his emotions. That makes him capable of expressing himself even today. I am glad we are talking about mental health more openly now and though not enough yet, I think we can change the narrative with collective efforts.
I think I should concentrate on this part. Listening is all I can do. I can only let my son cry when he wants. Hubby has sadly been brought up in a world where men don’t cry.
Dear Anjali, A hug from me because you picked the topic which is very close to my heart. I know how men feel when their emotions her hurt. The society set the norms that men don’t cry. But my questions who set the rules that men can’t cry… their emotions and feelings are equivalent to the women. There are countless cases where the men were victims of severe mental torture leading to poor mental health. Very few like you showed the guts to speak about emotional wellness in men. Mental health issues are not restricted to women and we should understand it. When I was in higher school I saw my father in teary eyes when my grand ma passed away and I really felt the pain in my heart. That day onward I got to realize that men too had emotions like women which can make them cry. Thanks once again for this vital and important topic on wellness.
You have a very captivating style of penning your thoughts. Mental illnesses are gremlins and wellbeing is a story in progress. Quite interesting metaphors. However, it is true, mind is gender fluid and men too need their time and help to process emotions. I also liked your illustration, very effective in putting the message out.
You’re right. Culturally, our men have been taught for ages that they need to be tough. But I see a lot of that changing. I have had some friends share and cry when life throws challenges and I listen to them, let them be and then offer words of consolation. It’s so heartening to see that men are now trying to be more human as far as their emotions are concerned and better still because we have started talking about it. I liked your tips and suggestions. Certainly needs to reach more people.
Let’s face it, men aren’t as emotionally strong as women but aren’t half as equipped to handle their feelings as we are. It’s important to observe closely for any changes in behaviour and be gentle and tactful is our approach. Simple things like taking them out for coffee, booking a massage for them or watching a movie together can make a huge difference too and make them up.
I like your illustrations and how you presented the topic. Mental health impacts everyone in various shades, glad you are shedding light on Men’s mental health. Unknowingly young men take on this belief of men don’t cry and are ill equipped to handle their emotions. We can provide a safe place by really listening to what’s being said and what’s not being said.
I’m glad that you opted to write on men’s mental health issues. We almost forget that men are also human beings with a heart beating inside. This stereotyping forces men to curb their emotions that erupt as negative emotions many times. It needs to be tackled carefully.
The first paragraph and line reminded me of a friend I knew. See, men are always expected to be stronger but we need to understand that men do have mental health impacts too. This topic you have put up was really good.
I believe toxic masculinity has as much of a negative impact on men as it has on women. We are kindred spirits. Most men in my family are not afraid to show their emotions. High time the stereotype of “strong” men was done away with. I came upon the @wearemanenough account on Insta during my research for a post and I wish we had similar discussions in India too.
Mental health in men is a critical issue often overshadowed by societal expectations. Encouraging open conversation and support can help break the stigma and promote mental well-being. Well written post.
You have touched upon a very important topic! Touched upon almost all the aspects and emotional needs. Well done !
Mental health issues certainly exist across the board and are not restricted to gender, age or situation in life. I like your practical and easy to action tips in this post.
A very important topic that need more listeners. People don’t often talk about this become they consider men and emotion to be at a distance. This post will help understand that it is not that but men would also need help to understand their emotional turmoil.
I’m most concerned about my husband. My father, brother and sons talk to me 9n and off. My husband keeps it to himself, esp of it is intensely difficult for him. But we’re trying to work it out, to help him express and go through life events.
This is such a relatable post because there are many young peers who are men and are grappling with expressing themselves.
I will apply these tips with my male peers and friends. Hopefully there would be some difference in them emotionally.
I am so glad that I came across this blog, and I thank the host for coming up with this topic. Keep men’s health in mind as well. It is equally important and needs to be considered. Your advice is appropriate, and one must follow it if facing any mental health-related issues.
I am very happy to see such a post that is talking about men’s mental health. A subject that is still not being discussed openly. They are expected to behave all macho and super strong and there is this undue pressure on them to be in control of their emotions and it does take a toll on them. We need more of such post and ways to create awareness around mental health of men at large and all stages of life.
The way men are brought up also effects the way men handle mental health and what measures can be taken to learn or unlearn certain aspects of their lives
I very rarely come across conversations around Men’s Health and this actually does need to be normalized and addressed. The symptoms list is helpful as one can self assess if he needs to take better care of himself if he showing these behaviors and a flag for the rest of the family too to notice and support.