2 days ago
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month aims to stop stigma of seeking professional health
Millions of men suffer from mental health issues each year, yet less than half seek help, highlighting the importance of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month in June.
Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions among men, societal stigma often prevents them from seeking help or admitting to struggles. This stigma contributes to men being four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
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'When you're told constantly to hold it in and not talk about it, you have to hold it together for the family or whatever your situation might be, it can get very tough,' said Denana Ivankovic, Marketing and Communications Specialist at NAMI of Erie County.
Men are generally encouraged to 'tough it out' or 'deal with it,' due to social pressures and gender norms that discourage vulnerability. This often leads to untreated mental health issues, which can result in risky behaviors and mood disturbances.
Denana Ivankovic noted that substance misuse is a common coping mechanism for men struggling with mental health, which can exacerbate their problems instead of addressing the underlying issues.
Symptoms of mental health struggles in men may include becoming more antisocial or angry, experiencing a loss of appetite, and having regular disruptions in sleep. These symptoms, if left unaddressed, can lead to worsening mental health conditions.
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Ivankovic encourages open conversations about mental health, stating, 'If you think someone might be struggling, just have that conversation and openly ask them if they're doing ok. Also, a common misconception is that you don't want to ask someone if they're thinking about killing themselves. It's actually encouraged to do that just because if they are having that thought, you having that conversation could actually save their life.'
Raising awareness and encouraging open dialogue about men's mental health can help reduce stigma and potentially save lives.
For more information on how NAMI is working to stomp the stigma, click here.
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