The stigma around mental health may have begun to decline, but the male mental health stigma continues to be an issue and limits the number of males who seek effective treatment. Males often get looked down on for having extreme emotions or being depressed and worry about being seen by family and friends as weak. Ogden Psychological Services wants to help patients of all ages and genders with various issues and help educate all about the stigma surrounding mental health. Talking about mental health improves the quality of life in many people and shows that seeking help is a positive thing.
Men May Not Realize They Have A Mental Health Issue
Because mental health isn’t talked about openly among men, males may not even know they are experiencing a mental health issue. Mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health, whether male or female, and can be improved by a medical professional. This contributes greatly to the male mental health stigma.
Males often don’t take physical health as seriously as they should because of the stigma around being weak. Physical ailments and diseases should be handled with seriousness and treated by a professional with medication and one-on-one treatment. The same goes for mental health.
Toxic Masculinity And Pushing Through Emotions
Toxic masculinity is a large contributor to the male mental health stigma. This refers to when others or even the individual themselves, shame men for having emotions or taking time for themselves. Self-care, taking time off work, or seeking help in men is often looked down upon and can seem weak or small. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather a strength. Taking care of yourself is never the wrong investment because helping yourself also helps improve your relationships with those around you.
Many males think the best thing to do is look forward and push through their emotions. While keeping your mind on the future can be a good thing, ignoring complex emotions can become a lot to deal with on your own. Keeping emotions in can lead to isolation and is a large part of the male mental health stigma.
Not Seeking Treatment
Seeking treatment or therapy for mental struggles is a problem for males and females alike. Many people carry out daily tasks and social engagements while having an internal mental battle. Therapy, meditation, medication, and support groups are all available resources that should be taken advantage of.
Many males who struggle with complex emotions turn to dopamine enhancers to help them ignore what they are feeling. These can include drugs, alcohol, adrenaline, sexual activities, or other behaviors that could soon become unhealthy addictions. “Talking it out” may not seem like a solution for men which can cause them to only seek treatment when their mental health problems are severe.
Educating Others About Mental Health
Over the years, more people are talking about mental health and mental health services more openly. Educating all people on what mental health can look like and what therapy is available can help those who may feel misunderstood and hesitant about therapy.
If you know a loved one who is struggling with the mental health stigma, sharing your experiences can help them to see that seeking help has worked for someone close to them. Proper education on what symptoms accompany mental health and how it affects your body can help us all to erase the male mental health stigma and all stigmas in general. It is also important to share correct facts about mental health and help those around you recognize signs of severe mental health, especially depression or suicidal thoughts.
Work With Ogden Psychological Services
Our office works with patients of many different ages, genders, and mental health problems. We treat various issues that can interrupt your daily life when not handled correctly. Fighting the male mental health stigma is important to all of our professionals.
We do our best to make you feel at ease in our office and work to accomplish your goals. Because each patient is unique, we create individual plans and conduct individual testing to best help you and your symptoms. Seeking help can improve multiple areas of your life and help you have more healthy relationships. If you are wanting to learn more about what we offer and how we treat our patients, contact us today.
