mental health movember.

why do so many men struggle to talk about their feelings?

According to the men’s health charity, Movember, one man dies by suicide every minute worldwide, and that male suicide rates are three times higher than women in the UK.

There is no denying the facts, men’s mental health needs critical attention. While there is momentum in mental health in the workplace and other areas, so much more is required to normalise the ability for men to discuss their emotions.

This month, millions will be raised worldwide through Movember, yet why do many men continue to find it hard to open up about their mental health?

The concept surrounding gender

Though it may have progressed, we continue to live with an old perception of masculinity where the male figure is considered strong and the provider. These outdated stereotypical concepts are equally negative for men as they are for women.

Other factors come into play in how men determine gender. How we are raised, our home, school and friendships all influence our perception of gender and how we view ourselves.

While not all men feel constricted by these date stereotypes, often those that do decide to adopt a more traditional concept of gender and masculinity are the ones that have more challenges in opening up and getting support when needed. The problem is media portrayal continues to advocate men to be more like men.

Reduced connections

The pandemic and resulting lockdown restrictions resulted in many people feeling isolated. The limited social interactions had a detrimental impact on men, especially those less likely to engage or communicate at home via online technology.

The pandemic has created a lot of challenges for men, whether it be physical interaction, employment concerns, financial or relationship issues. Studies emphasise that men are actively looking for connections and support during these difficult times. Stronger social connections represent a protective element against depression.

The importance of age

Industry professionals have witnessed an increase in young men reaching out about their personal lives. As they absorb modern media channels, they feel more empowered to discuss their feeling. The main problem lies with the older men, where depression-related problems remain considerably high. Men between their 40s and 50s continue to challenge the mental health industry find it difficult to relate to the new generation of communicative men.

Rather than repeating the concept that men are unable to talk about their feelings, we need to be promoting how men of all ages have worked through mental health issues and how they have felt once they have tackled the problem.

Men need to understand that they aren’t alone and that mental health and depressions are far more common than most of us realise.

Sharing and promoting stories of men from various groups and ages will start normalising the concept of mental health issues in men.

Triggering the connections

Long periods of conditioning can make it tricky to allow yourself to open up and communicate with a friend, work colleague or family member. Whether voicing your emotions or admitting you struggle with your mental health, it's possible to start this process very slowly.

Opening up may feel daunting but connecting with friends or loved ones can make a huge difference. We should never assume that someone wants to be left alone or doesn’t want to talk.