Men can suffer on a daily basis with a lot of challenges however, it's not always easy for them to open up and there are plenty of reasons for this. Often when they are suffering internally they still remain strong externally, there is an expectation of men to not show “weakness” only strength and to have tough skin. This can be extremely damaging to their mental state.
The Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health
Battling with daily challenges and staying strong
Men suffer on a daily basis with a lot of challenges however, it’s not always easy for them to open up and there are plenty of reasons for this. Often when they are suffering internally they still remain strong externally, there is an expectation of men to not show “weakness” only strength and to have tough skin. This can be extremely damaging to their mental state.
Many men find it challenging to express themselves or speak up about challenges they face. They contain their feelings and feel like all their obstacles must be overcome solely, but it is okay to seek guidance and support. There are connotations of males, (to be strong, fearless, to be “the man of the house”, breadwinner, alfa, the list goes on) and it could be a strain sometimes being held to these expectations. There are so many people that look up to and turn to a male figure in their lives in difficult times, and this is where the expectancy of “having it all together” kicks in. The pressures of family members, friends and even work colleagues makes it harder to express feelings as there’s probably an essence of embarrassment in admitting that you don’t always have the answer and the fear of people finding out the reason you’re low and down may cause a wave of judgment.
We seem to often forget that men have emotions and feelings too, just because they are reserved about them they shouldn’t feel like they can not express themselves or speak up when help is needed. We all deserve having our feelings validated.
The struggles
Men tend to internalize their struggles, they prefer not to show emotions and feelings; which brings us back to the element of fear. Every male is different however you may find that most men find it difficult to open up. From a young age it’s pumped into males that they should be strong and not cry or show emotion, to keep a brave face, and this ideology is so damaging to a developing mind and many people don’t realize the impact it has. A vast majority of males find that when they do open up about their mental health or feelings they feel as though they are not heard. Speaking with a therapist can be daunting, however proven to be very effective as they are professionally trained to guide and support someone through their emotions.
Often, men turn to alcohol or other substances. But have you ever asked why?
As a result of bottling up so much inside, they may feel this an ideal way to let off some steam. What they don’t realize is this can actually have lasting effects on your mental health. to their home life or even their work life. But mainly it’s so a male can let off steam instead of opening up and speaking about his issues.
Another issue men tend to suffer with is a lack of confidence. Men are often expected to approach females and this can be daunting as many don’t know how or paranoia kicks in and they find themselves doubting themselves. Am I good enough? Do I look okay? Will she like my personality? Although self doubt is very common, if it becomes a thing that completely shuts you down and stops you from attempting things it can have a significantly negative impact on your life and mental health. It’s not intentional but men stress over things which are easy to come to.
In this day and age there is a lot of support and information on overcoming the issues stated above, everyone needs a nudge to seek guidance every now and then. Remember even if you feel uncomfortable speaking with your loved one or even your friends there’s always professional help out there. Below I have added a few links which could be useful for you to check out and have a more understanding on the support given.
Some Helpful Links
https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health