Are you feeling lost and uncertain about the direction of your life? Do you experience anxiety or depression? Do you wish you had someone to talk to, but hesitate to ask for help because you feel it’s not “manly” to do so?
Traditionally, men have been less likely to seek therapy, but that doesn’t mean they lack reasons to. According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the number of men seeking treatment for mental health issues is significantly lower than that of women facing similar concerns.
Why is this the case? From a young age, boys are often taught to embrace rigid standards of masculinity, which emphasize being strong and suppressing emotions. As a result, many men may feel isolated, anxious, and depressed. Instead of seeking help for these emotions, they tend to bottle them up and try to cope on their own. They believe that enduring their emotional pain is preferable to confronting the stigma associated with seeking therapy.
Mental health issues often manifest differently in men than in women, which can lead to many problems going unnoticed and untreated. Men frequently minimize or fail to recognize their own emotional pain, resulting in them bottling up their feelings. This can, in turn, lead to physical health issues such as high blood pressure or heart disease. If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health challenges and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out. There is no stigma in seeking help; rather, there is relief from the burdens you may be carrying alone.