Men and Mental Health: The Common Challenges

Mental health challenges are not reserved exclusively for women, and yet many mental health resources available are tailored towards women and children. Even as I prepared to launch Take Action Counseling & Consulting PLLC, I noticed as I scrolled through “mental health” logo designers’ portfolios, that all of these logos are very feminine in style. I went through at least three designers who were unable to offer a “masculine” mental health logo before getting someone to make the logo we use on our site. Men have depression too. Men struggle emotionally too.

Men experience anxiety, mood disorders and depression too, and they are markedly less likely to be diagnosed or to seek treatment for them. Many men with psychological disorders remain overlooked and undiagnosed, without the opportunity to receive proper treatment and heal. Research published by the world’s leading health authorities, such as the American Psychological Association or the Mental Health Foundation, shows that women are more likely to develop anxiety and depression than men. At the same time, men more often engage in substance abuse or antisocial behavior. Depression can present as irritability, anger and aggression, a picture that often goes unrecognized as depression at all.

Why do men bottle up their mental health challenges?

Studies show that men are more likely to keep their struggles to themselves for a long time without seeking professional help. It also seems that men are generally unwilling to seek support from family members or close friends, reaching for self-medication and substance use instead. At the same time, reports show that male suicide rates continue to rise alarmingly.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die by suicide at close to four times the rate women do, and among men the rate is highest in older age groups and among American Indian, Alaska Native and white men. A great many of them have kids and families. The UK Mental Health Foundation and the World Health Organization report the same pattern.

So what causes men to conceal and fail to address their feelings and internal struggles?

Masculinity stereotypes

As kids, most men learn what is expected and how to behave while growing up. Unfortunately, the common male stereotype that says men should be strong and keep it in can prevent many men from opening up about their struggles and seeking mental health help. Western cultures and socialization processes emphasize masculinity, encouraging men to be independent and physically strong. Traditionally, a man is expected to be brave, be a provider, remain in control, and not show vulnerability.

Internalizing such distorted beliefs in childhood can have a long-lasting impact on your mental health, self-esteem, and sense of identity. Masculinity norms may discourage you from assessing your inner self and addressing your mental health issues, or they cause you to reach for unhealthy coping strategies. The gap between this idealized self and the realistic one can trigger addictive behaviors, anxiety, self-esteem and confidence issues, depression, and other mental health challenges.

The stigma of mental illness

The stigma attached to mental illness is one of the significant challenges we face today, making it difficult for men to seek mental health support. Most men do not feel comfortable discussing their emotions, especially in western societies where vulnerability is considered a sign of weakness and incapacity. The stigma around men’s mental health is deep-rooted in societal masculinity norms, cultural beliefs, and internalized self-perception.

The emotional impact of parenting

Many dads have succumbed to years of societal messaging that says that fathers are not that important to a child’s development. Growing up, I can remember taking in the messaging that fathers are providers, breadwinners, and completely clueless as it relates to their children, besides discipline. This messaging has started to shift in recent years, as we have seen more stay-at-home dads or dads working from home as the primary caregiver rather than the primary breadwinner. This is a positive shift in the right direction, but there is still more work to be done.

Many men face significant emotional and psychological challenges upon transitioning to fatherhood. A new parenting role requires you to adjust to a new routine, give up some old habits, and allow others to be dependent on you. You need to resolve parenting conflicts, adapt to changes in your relationship with your partner, and reevaluate your priorities. If you and your spouse have differing parenting opinions, expectations, or priorities, you may start feeling confused, guilty, or resentful. As a result, you may struggle to support your partner in their transition to parenthood while neglecting your own needs and sacrificing your need for support. The increased financial needs of a larger family place a high level of income- and work-related stress on many fathers. All of these new challenges can take their toll on a father’s mental health, confidence, and sense of well-being.

Barriers to mental health resources

Common obstacles to mental health treatment contribute to many men’s psychological challenges these days: not getting enough information, a lack of available mental health professionals, a lack of specialized resources specific to men or fathers, or financial barriers to care. A lack of mental health awareness, or the belief that you can deal with mental health problems on your own, can aggravate your symptoms and cause long-lasting consequences. Mental illnesses are often hard to recognize. Your clinical symptoms may not be obvious. You may go a long time without recognizing signs of mental illness, or dismiss them as tiredness, fatigue, irritability, or attitude issues.

What are the most common mental health challenges for men?

Some of the most common mental health concerns men may experience include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Substance abuse

Postpartum depression and anxiety in moms receives much attention these days. Still, it seems that we tend to overlook the same mental health problems in fathers. Around one in ten new fathers experiences perinatal depression, and roughly the same share experiences postpartum anxiety. Most of it remains undiagnosed and untreated.

How to recognize the warning signs

While men and women can develop the same mental health disorders, they can manifest differently. Potential signals in men may include:

• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Anger and aggressiveness
• Sudden mood changes
• Severe changes in appetite and energy levels
• Feeling increasingly worried or stressed out
• Fatigue
• Apathy
• Aches and pains without a clear cause
• Lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
• Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Alcohol and substance use
• Engaging in high-risk behaviors
• Intrusive self-critical thoughts
• Suicidal thoughts

The healing process starts with you

Many men struggle with emotional distress these days and do not know how to address their issues. Do not overlook the signs of distress. Most mental health problems can be successfully treated. Seeking support is the best way to address what is happening, understand what triggers your suffering, and start the healing process.