Overcoming the Stigma

I am kicking off my new mission on my blog designed especially for the male readers, with this special post on mental health. 

Recently, a poll showed that 40% of men said it would take thoughts of suicide or self harm to compel themselves to seek professional help. 

Three quarters of registered suicide deaths in the UK in 2020 were men. 

These numbers are shocking, and while I have been busy with research on the likes of shoes and fashion for my posts, it's all too easy to forget that men's mental health continues to be a prominent issue. 

Archetypes of Men

As a society, we often expect men to be strong, stoic, and unemotional. Unfortunately, these expectations can lead to men struggling in silence with their mental health, particularly when it comes to issues like depression, short temper, and stress. But it's important to remember that it's okay to not be okay, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Breaking the stigma surrounding men's mental health is essential in creating a more supportive and understanding society. It's time to redefine the male role and encourage men to speak up about their struggles and seek help when needed.

There are lots of complexities on what a man is. According to masculine psychology, A king, Warrior, Magician and Lover are the main four discussions. Movies, books and history create such roles to be strong and reliable. How much pressure does this put on males? It is drilled into them from a young age, to be the ‘man of the house’.

Depression 

Depression is a common mental health issue that affects millions of men worldwide. It can manifest in various ways, including feeling hopeless, tired, and unmotivated. 

One symptom that is never talked about with depression is risk-taking. This is when you feel like anything you do will have no repercussions. So you drive and speed and fail to brake. You drink excessively, either at home or in public. Or you swallow pills. Thinking of those actions can bring some to a painstaking cringe, but the truth is, there is no blame to victims going through depression at the time. They can not think straight, this is what depression can do. 

Males are more likely to have these thoughts than females.  They hide their feelings rather than opening up to others who can support them.

The help

It's crucial for men to recognize when their mental health is suffering and to seek support. As usual here are some helpful resources:-

This site has lots of great informative reading. With loads of contact numbers too:

https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/mens-support/

This next one has a text number you can contact 24/7:

https://giveusashout.org/