Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health
This month is dedicated to spreading awareness and visibility for men's mental health!
TriggerWarning: Suicide, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse
June Is Men's Health Month!
Men’s mental health is too often overlooked and stigmatized. With June being the month dedicated to raising awareness around this growing crisis, I wanted to share some important statistics and information.
I hope to foster open, honest conversations that lead to better support and solutions. Despite the growing recognition of mental health's importance, societal expectations, lack of trust in healthcare professionals, and toxic gender roles still discourage many men from seeking the help they need.
From the alarming rates of depression and anxiety to the high suicide rate among men, the numbers paint a dark picture of the mental health crisis affecting men today. By understanding these statistics, we can better appreciate the scope of the problem and better advocate for mental health resources and support systems tailored to men’s needs just as well as others.
(Not so) fun facts!
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and Mental Health America, nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety but less than half will receive treatment.
Though men account for about 10% of patients with bulimia or anorexia and 35% of those with binge-eating disorder, men with an eating disorder are less likely to seek professional help.
Over 6 million men suffer from depression per year, but male depression often goes underdiagnosed.
More than 3 million men in the US have panic disorder, agoraphobia, or any other phobia.
2.3 million Americans are affected by bipolar disorder and an equal amount of men and women develop the illness. The age of onset for men is between 16 to 25 years old.
One of the leading causes of disability in America is schizophrenia. Approximately 3.5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed and 90% of those who are diagnosed by age 30 are men.
Low levels of testosterone are correlated with depression, stress, and mood swings, especially among older men.
Male depression and suicide
4 times as many men as women die by suicide every year with the highest suicide rates in the U.S. being found in caucasian men over the age of 85.
White males accounted for 68.46% of suicide deaths in 2022
Gay and bisexual men are more likely to develop mental health disorders
than heterosexual men. Gay males are at an increased risk for suicide attempts, especially before the age of 25.
Male suicides have been on the rise since 2000.
Women attempt suicide more often, but men are more likely to complete suicide due to:
Using methods that are more likely to cause death, such as guns
Acting more impulsively on suicidal ideations
Showing fewer warning signs, such as talking about suicide
What Are the Signs?
Men develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions as women but may experience different symptoms. Most often, men mask by utilizing unhealthy coping behaviors.
While both men and women can experience these symptoms:
Feel sad, hopeless, or empty
Feel extremely tired
Have difficulty sleeping or sleep too much
Not getting pleasure from activities usually enjoyed
Suicidal thoughts
Men with mental health disorders may present these specific signs:
Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive problems, and pain
Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
Controlling, violent, or abusive behavior
Inappropriate anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
Risky behavior, such as reckless driving
Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
Men and substance abuse
Approximately 1 in 5 men develop alcohol dependency during their lives.
Homosexual men are more likely to have higher rates of substance abuse than heterosexual men.
Male veterans, regardless of their form of service, experience twice the rate of
alcohol and drug use as women.
What We Can Do
The first step in bridging this gap for men is to expand the general awareness and education around the topic of mental health. Seeking help is a strength and a vital part of caring for one’s health as well as the well-being of others.
Building community-based programs to counter the risk factors for those who feel isolated, such as elderly men
“However, no intervention is complete until it accounts for groups that face systematic marginalization, such as men of color and those of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds.”
Promoting community and vulnerability in informal spaces where marginalized communities frequent. For example: African American men seeking support in places of worship or barbershops
Educating parents, teachers, healthcare workers, police, and faith leaders on how to interact and support those with mental health disorders
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🪷🪷💛💛