Men’s Mental Health
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the prevalence of mental illnesses in men is often lower than in women. The NIMH also says that men with mental illnesses are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women. This poses an interesting question:
Matters.
Are men truly experiencing fewer mental health problems, or are they more likely to ignore them and hope they go away?
Too many men think they are supposed to be strong or macho all the time — even when in pain. For many, it would be unimaginable, and intolerable for anyone to know they were battling anxiety and depression, or were bogged down by their emotions.
Educating men about the importance of mental health is not just a priority. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men died by suicide 3.63 times more often than women
Men are often expected to be the breadwinners, strong, dominant, and in control. While these aren’t inherently bad things, they can make it harder for men to reach out for help and open up.
Some research also suggests that men who can’t speak openly about their emotions may be less able to recognise symptoms of mental health problems in themselves and less likely to reach out for support.
Men may also be more likely to use potentially harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol and less likely to talk to family or friends about their mental health. However, research suggests men will get the help that meets their preferences and is easy to access, meaningful and engaging. For example, Men’s Sheds provides community spaces for men to connect and chat, often over practical activities.
Letters Against Depression can also be an engaging activity for men. We offer a nonjudgmental place to provide hope and support to those who have been through the worst of it.
Why is Men’s Mental Health Such an Issue?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the prevalence of mental illnesses in men is often lower than women; however the NIMH also says that men with mental illnesses are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women. This poses interesting questions: Are men truly experiencing fewer mental health problems, or are they more likely to ignore them and hope they go away?
Over 6 million men suffer from depression per year but male depression still often goes undiagnosed. This might be due to a difference in symptoms; men are more likely to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, rather than feelings of sadness or worthlessness.
Negative stigma around Men’s Mental Health has made it hard for men to feel emotionally secure. Too many men think they are supposed to be strong and in control all the time — even when in pain. This can make it harder for men to reach out for help and open up. For many, it would be unimaginable, intolerable for anyone to know they were battling anxiety, depression, or were bogged down by their emotions.
The Negative Stigma
Educating men about the importance of mental health is not just a priority. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men died by suicide 3.63 times more often than women. It's a cycle; research also suggests that men who can’t speak openly about their emotions may be less able to recognize symptoms of mental health problems in themselves and less likely to reach out for support.
Men may also be more likely to use potentially harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol and less likely to talk to family or friends about their mental health. However, research suggests men will get the help that meets their preferences and is easy to access, meaningful and engaging. For example, Men’s Sheds provides community spaces for men to connect and chat, often over practical activities. Here at LAD we offer convenient support and an engaging community for those who have been through the worst of it. No matter how small, if you need someone to talk to consider logging into our portal and requesting a letter to brighten your week.
Impacts
Millions of men suffer from mental health issues but don’t take action.
Here are some famous figures that have spoken out about their struggles with mental health. Remember you are not alone!
DWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON - FORMER WWE STAR AND ACTOR
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has opened up about his mental health issues. "Depression doesn’t discriminate," he said in a 2018 ITVinterview. "Regardless of who you are or what you do for a living, it doesn’t discriminate … The key thing I found is … especially [for] us as guys….you gotta talk about it, you’re not alone."
TERRY BRADSHAW - NFL STAR AND ACTOR
The NFL Hall of Famer and popular football commentator believes he had depression for years, but he wasn’t diagnosed and treated until the late ‘90s. He now shares his story, hoping to reduce the stigma surrounding the mental illness. “I thought maybe I could help people with awareness, help men get the strength and courage,” he told the Chicago Tribune in 2003.
One of the biggest problems with being a man who has depression, he says, is that it’s almost taboo to talk about it.
“What kind of man would I sound like if I told somebody, ‘Hey, I am so sad. I’m cripplingly sad. I can’t get out of bed. I just feel empty. Help me,’” he told People. “You feel like you need to cry or speak to someone about it, and, ‘Nope, I’m not gonna do that, because I’m a man,’” he said.
WAYNE BRADY - COMEDIAN
The Deadpool star opened up about his ongoing battle with anxiety as a part of Mental Health Awareness month in May 2021. “One of the reasons I’m posting this so late is I over schedule myself and important things slip. And one of the reasons I over schedule myself is my lifelong pal, anxiety,” Reynolds wrote via Instagram just days before the month ended. “I know I’m not alone and more important, to all those like me who over schedule, overthink, overwork, over-worry and over-everything, please know you’re not alone.”
The Proposal actor concluded: “We don’t talk enough about mental health and don’t do enough to destigmatize talking about it. But, as with this post, better late than never, I hope …”
RYAN REYNOLDS - ACTOR
LETTERS AGAINST DEPRESSION - TESTIMONIAL
You do not need to be famous to get help, here is what a LAD recipient had to say about our service…
Line from Male LAD Writer …
“LAD is a unique way to create change for someone and build a community with others around the world… Writing these letters doesn’t just help the recipient, it helps the writer too. In the digital world, LAD uses technology to their advantage but still keeps their personalized touch through the handwritten letters. There are things I don’t feel comfortable talking about with my parents or friends, LAD gives me a non-judgemental zone where I can get something off my chest to people who don’t personally know me”
Communities
One detrimental aspect of a man's life may be his lack of community. Many men are outsiders at their work, in their family, and other social settings. Building a network or support group can make a huge difference in mental health. Lots of people are discouraged by the phrase “support group” as they imagine a therapy-esque conversation. The truth is a support group could just be a group of caring people you are comfortable with.
It could take many forms and should be built naturally
A group of people that play recreational basketball at the local park
A group of people you volunteer regularly with
A Game Of Thrones fan club at work
Your lab group in your chemistry class
A group of LAD letter writers that you have connected with
Finding a group of people to talk to and then communicating with them is easier to do when you have similar interests.
A men’s community is ideal for men who need a safe space to freely talk about what they are going through. These support groups give men the freedom and platform to speak out their hearts and minds among other men going through the same issues without any judgment.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN A COMMUNITY?
Take a caring approach:
It’s important to toe the line between issuing blame and guilt, and remember to take a caring approach. Feelings of inadequacy, rejection, low self-esteem, and possibly self-hate, can emanate strongly in men, so it’s a matter of trying to simply go in with: “What’s been going on with you today/recently?” Make sure to not approach men in a confrontational or accusatory tone or they won’t be willing to talk about their issues with you.
Be Mindful of Toxic Masculinity:
‘Toxic masculinity’ refers to a set of cultural, gendered standards that are detrimental to men’s health and happiness. Social pressures of what it means to be a man can cause men to feel as if they are not advancing in life, not successful enough, or simply not ‘man’ enough. Some have their identity fused with their work and professional status. Understanding these principles leads to a better understanding of men and how they cope with mental health issues.
Create a safe space:
Feelings of shame and embarrassment can come from being in the presence of certain people, so whether that’s children, a partner, or parents and in-laws, be mindful of the environment that is being created, and make it neutral. Don’t tell him to ‘man up’, or ‘be a real father’ – that will do more harm than good. Do your best to make him feel comfortable, and think about the time, place, and manner in which you talk to a man about his mental health.
Ask Men what something means rather than how it makes them feel:
(This one is just a suggestion and you shouldn’t use this blindly)
What does it mean to you to lose this contract? What did this do to you to not get that job? Where does it leave you to lose your children? Asking about meaning may seem less touchy-feely and therefore more accessible. Men tend to be more direct and straight to the point; the softly-softly approach can actually be more off-putting and awkward to some. Again this all depends on the nature of the man you are talking to.
If you have experiences to share, share them:
Lots of men brush off questions about their mental health because it’s a difficult and uncomfortable subject that they’re probably not used to talking about. So instead of probing someone with questions, try sharing an experience of your own that they might be able to relate to. Firstly, this shows that they are not alone, and secondly, it creates a two-way dialogue where you are both able to express your vulnerabilities in a safe and supportive way. This can make a talk go from a therapy session to simple conversation about things going on in a couple of people's lives.
TALKING TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW
“I have so many letters from you all and I read them so very often to remind myself that I am not alone. I have never received a letter that didn’t change my day and week for the better. I don’t know how you find so many beautiful people that understand and have so much compassion. I am forever in your debt as I am walking on this earth today because of you all.”