June has become known as the month of men’s mental health, an annual period where groups and initiatives seek to bring greater awareness to the reality behind numerous misconceptions. It is important that time is taken to examine the disorders and challenges that affect men, not only because there are a number of significant and ongoing issues affecting the social group but also because men’s health is so often shrouded and misunderstood behind a culture of manning up.

Mental health alone can be challenging for men to talk about and it is estimated that 40% have never spoken about their mental health and well-being despite the fact that over three-quarters of all men have experienced some form of mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. There are various reasons as to why this is the case, with some of the most common being a sense of embarrassment or the feeling of a negative stigma.

This social stigma is a huge and preventable barrier to men’s health. It is well known, for example, that men are over three times more likely to commit suicide than women, and is the single most common cause of death for those aged under 45. Men are more frequent users of drugs and, as a result, more likely to die from their usage. Men also make up over 90% of the prison population with over 70% of inmates suffering from two or more mental disorders.

The pressures that men feel inhibit their ability to discuss or seek support for their mental health are numerous, and the Priory Group shared the following most common reasons from their study:

• ‘I’ve learnt to deal with it’ (40%) 
• ‘I don’t wish to be a burden to anyone’ (36%)
• ‘I’m too embarrassed’ (29%)
• ‘There’s negative stigma around this type of thing’ (20%)
• ‘I don’t want to admit I need support’ (17%)
• ‘I don’t want to appear weak’ (16%)
• ‘I have no one to talk to’ (14%)

If men are to improve their culture of mental health and begin reducing the severe impact of disorders that face them, we must first collectively work to challenge and change the culture of masculinity and gender norms. Men are taught from a young age, for example, that boys don’t cry and are generally shown that emotions are associated with femininity. 

This learning, however, does not prevent emotions from occurring. Instead, it leads feelings and mental health issues to manifest in different ways in both men and women as they develop. Men’s emotions, for example, are more likely to manifest as anger or irritability, with a tendency to internalise and make significant changes in lifestyle and routine, as opposed to communicating their thoughts and feelings.

So, how do we change this landscape and improve men’s mental health?

As men’s mental health groups seek to do, we must collectively demonstrate that it is okay for men to talk about their mental health, as well as make mental health services more familiar and open to the male gender. Despite the fact that the number of men who have had suicidal thoughts has doubled since 2009, only 36% of mental health referrals are men. Thankfully, the NHS, as well as other national services are seeking to improve their support, but there is a long road ahead.

If you are concerned about your mental health or would simply like to begin a conversation about your wellbeing, we are here to help. At Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy, our team provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to discuss their mental health, seeking to facilitate conversations that can begin the journey to recovery and self-improvement. To enquire about an initial consultation, please email hello@bristolcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk or, alternatively, call 07751 271709.