The Importance of Men’s Mental Health

Written By Nick Gotsis

In recent years, mental health discussions have gained attention, but men’s mental health still needs more focus. In 2022, men represented 76% of the 3,249 suicide deaths in Australia, underscoring a notable gender gap in suicide rates (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023). Many men suffer in silence due to societal pressures and stigma, making it essential to address this issue for a healthier society. A significant challenge is the pressure to appear strong and self-reliant, discouraging men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help. This leads to a reluctance to discuss their feelings or admit struggles (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Seidler et al., 2016).

Stigma plays a significant role in preventing men from seeking help. Many men fear being perceived as weak or incapable if they admit to having mental health issues. This stigma can lead to men using unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, to deal with their problems (King et al., 2020; Levant et al., 2013). 

Encouraging Open Conversations

Encouraging open conversations about mental health can make a significant difference. When men feel safe to talk about their struggles, it can reduce the sense of isolation and shame that often accompanies mental health issues. Many men enter therapy with uncertainty (Good & Robertson, 2010). This pivotal moment can be influenced by past dissatisfaction, leading to doubt about psychotherapy’s effectiveness and reluctance to disclose distress to a general practitioner (Seidler et al., 2020). Men tend to drop out of therapy earlier than women, with 44.8% of men in an Australian study reporting they left without consulting their therapist (Seidler et al., 2021). A perceived lack of connection with therapists is the primary reason for dropout, highlighting the importance of a strong client-therapist relationship (Garcia & Weisz, 2002; Roos & Werbart, 2013). It is essential to equip therapists to engage effectively with men to improve retention in mental healthcare.

Addressing men’s mental health is essential for creating a compassionate and supportive society. By breaking down stigma, promoting open conversations, and providing accessible support, we can empower men to prioritise their mental well-being. Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a courageous step towards a healthier, happier life. Importantly, we also need to offer therapy that meets men where they are.

References:

  • Addis, M. E., & Mahalik, J. R. (2003). Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. American Psychologist, 58(1), 5-14.

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Causes of Death, Australia.

  • Garcia, A. R., & Weisz, J. R. (2002). When youth mental health care stops: Therapeutic relationship problems and other reasons for ending youth outpatient treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(2), 439-443.

  • Good, G. E., & Robertson, J. M. (2010). Men’s help seeking and gender norms: Implications for practice. In J. C. Chrisler & D. R. McCreary (Eds.), Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology (pp. 187-204). Springer.

  • Harris, M. G., Burgess, P. M., Pirkis, J. E., Slade, T. N., & Diminic, S. (2015). Correlates of mental health service use among Australian adults: Findings from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49(8), 744-756.

  • John, A., Glendenning, A. C., Marchant, A., Montgomery, P., Stewart, A., Wood, S., Lloyd, K., Hawton, K., & Williams, D. (2020). Self-harm, suicidal behaviours, and cyberbullying in children and young people: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(4), e13680.

  • King, T. L., Shields, M., Sojo, V., Daraganova, G., Currier, D., O’Neil, A., … & Milner, A. (2020). Expressions of masculinity and associations with suicidal ideation among young males. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 1-10.

  • Levant, R. F., Wimer, D. J., Williams, C. M., Smalley, K. B., & Noronha, D. (2013). The relationships between masculinity variables, health risk behaviors, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. International Journal of Men’s Health, 12(3), 169-186.

  • Mahalik, J. R., Burns, S. M., & Syzdek, M. (2007). Masculinity and perceived normative health behaviors as predictors of men’s health behaviors. Social Science & Medicine, 64(11), 2201-2209.

  • Pleck, J. H. (1995). The gender role strain paradigm: An update. In R. F. Levant & W. S. Pollack (Eds.), A new psychology of men (pp. 11-32). Basic Books.

  • Roos, J., & Werbart, A. (2013). Therapist and relationship factors influencing dropout from individual psychotherapy: A literature review. Psychotherapy Research, 23(4), 394-418.

  • Seidler, Z. E., Dawes, A. J., Rice, S. M., Oliffe, J. L., & Dhillon, H. M. (2016). The role of masculinity in men’s help-seeking for depression: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 106-118.

  • Seidler, Z. E., Rice, S. M., Kealy, D., Oliffe, J. L., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2020). Men, masculinities, depression: Implications for mental health services from a scoping review. American Journal of Men’s Health, 14(5), 1557988320963632.

  • Seidler, Z. E., Rice, S. M., Ogrodniczuk, J. S., Oliffe, J. L., & Dhillon, H. M. (2021). Men’s mental health services: The case for a masculinities model. Journal of Men’s Health, 17(2), 1-10.

  • Stene-Larsen, K., & Reneflot, A. (2019). Contact with primary and mental health care prior to suicide: A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2017. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 47(1), 9-17.

  • Wong, Y. J., Ho, M. R., Wang, S. Y., & Miller, I. S. K. (2022). Meta-analyses of the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and mental health-related outcomes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 69(1), 1-20.

Nick Gotsis
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