Men and mental health 2022

As with many health statistics, it’s hard to know if the figures really represent what is happening. They can only tell us about mental health problems that have been reported – many cases may go undiagnosed. This may be especially true when it comes to men’s mental health, but thankfully there are other signs that might give us a better picture of the state of men’s mental health. It is reported that three times as many men as women die by suicide, and that men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in South Africa.

In addition, men are far more likely than women to go missing, sleep rough, become dependent on alcohol, and use drugs frequently. While there isn’t a different sort of ‘male depression’, some symptoms are more common in men than women. These include irritability, sudden anger, increased loss of control, risk-taking and aggression. But there is hope, making simple changes such as talking about your feelings, keeping active and eating well can help you feel better.

Men’s mental health in SA

The reality

South African men have a higher suicide rate than women. It is important to consider using cultural spaces which can help destigmatise mental health for men. Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that South Africa has the third-highest suicide rate of all African countries. Women are more affected by depression, but men are almost four times more likely to commit suicide.

A report done by Sapien Labs, titled Annual Mental State of the World Report, found that South Africa has one of the lowest mental health scores in the world. The study focused on countries that have access to the internet and assessed the mental wellbeing of people in these countries in 2021. The researchers collected responses from 223 087 people across 34 countries in multiple regions across the globe.

Toxic masculinity

Part of understanding men’s mental health is understanding toxic masculinity and its negative impact. Toxic masculinity is the other spectrum of masculinity that has unhealthy traits that we can see in men who act in particular ways. Many studies indicate that men are more reluctant to seek help for mental health problems than women. Traditional ideas of masculinity, such as being strong, are often seen as a cause of this phenomenon.

Further studies of a systematic review refer to the adverse effects of male role expectations and social pressures to perform well as family providers and fathers with consequences for help-seeking behaviour. Depression is frequently perceived as a threat to men’s roles as family provider and many men experience feelings of inadequacy and incapability compared to their situation before depression. Compared to other severe illnesses, depression is often described as a “particular challenge to masculinity”.

 How depression manifests

Ultimately, how depression manifests have nothing to do with gender. Many people face mental health issues at some point in their lives. Men, if you are struggling you do not, and should not, have to do it alone. Some common issues that can cause depression are work-related pressures, unemployment or retirement, physical illness, social isolation, partner’s pregnancy and birth of a baby, and drug and alcohol use. Luckily there are plenty of practical things you can do to improve your mental health.

In the past, people with mental health conditions often had to live with harmful stigmas. Unfortunately, depending on where people live and the people around them, the stigma around mental illness is still present today, but change and the conversation around mental health is growing. There are now more options for those seeking help and support for their mental well-being. There are also many excellent organisations you can contact for help.

Access and collaboration

Over the past decade, calls to address the increasing burden of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders and to include mental healthcare as an essential component of universal health coverage have attracted mounting interest from governments.

Part of the solution towards improving mental health care for men, especially in low – and middle – income countries (LMICs), such as South Africa, is improving their access to services. There’s major worry about the cost of mental health services in South Africa, which often means those among us who need help the most are unable to access it. Further, mental health human resource availability, infrastructure and medication supply are constraints to the realization of the country’s progressive mental health legislation.

Signs of depression in men – what to watch for

When depression hits some men, it’s hard to motivate themselves to get out of bed or even to wake up. On the other hand, insomnia can also become present and without getting proper sleep, it can be difficult to start feeling better. More commonly, in men, depression disguises itself as anger and irritability. It’s important to understand that irritability and anger are two different things. Depression can also take a physical toll on the body.

When facing trying times in life, like the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job, men can often communicate how this worries them. They may not be able to communicate their feelings as much, but when they take concrete situations, they can express that they are anxious and worried about them. Indecision tends to go along with some of the other symptoms of depression. It is hard to make decisions when you are struggling to concentrate.

How to help someone with depression

Feeling down or depressed from time to time is normal. But if these feelings last 2 weeks or more, this can be a sign of depression. Let them know you care and are there to listen. Accept them as they are, without judging them. People who are depressed can become isolated and may find it difficult to leave their home. Try to be patient.

The benefits of seeking help

Actively seeking psychological help has many immediate and long-term benefits, including, that you will no longer struggle alone. Seeking help early on will minimize your risk of developing other health conditions. It also teaches you to develop coping strategies, seeking professional help will give you the coping tools and strategies you need. But remember that you are the best judge of you. Ultimately, it’s always best to reach out and ask for help.

Changes in performance at work are common among those battling poor mental health. This includes a lack of concentration and poor productivity levels. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, and in life in general, may be a sign you should reach out and speak to a professional. The past few years have been a difficult time for everyone and discovering what excites you, post-pandemic, can feel overwhelming.

Poor mental health can isolate us. It can make us feel alone, distressed, or uncomfortable around other people. A lack of understanding from your peers about what you are going through may compound the problem. Traumas can also impact your daily functioning if they persist. If you notice that you aren’t engaging in life or you’re pulling away from your loved ones, it might be time to seek professional help. It goes without saying, that it’s important to seek help when you are struggling.

You can validate someone’s feelings by telling them that you believe them when they say that they are struggling. It’s crucial that you don’t try to give mental health advice to your friends and acquaintances yourself. Remember that when it comes to men’s mental health, that resilience is bigger than invulnerability. Reducing the stigma around men’s mental health must start with education. Many of the factors that affect emotional well-being are as subtle as they are systemic.

Being proactive about help-seeking and treatment options isn’t a sign of weakness or insanity – it’s smart. A psychiatric diagnosis is not the same as a mental health issue. Every time you reach out to a professional – or even a friend – for support, you make it easier for others to do the same.

Raise awareness on men’s mental health!

It is important and beneficial to reach out to mental health professionals if you feel that you need emotional support.

PROCARE