Men’s Mental Health
Author: Eran Severson LPCC, Lilium Center
I am writing this blog post with the target audience of men who may be curious about therapy. If you are reading this on the Lilium Center blog post it is likely because you have taken the time to seek out therapy for some reason or another. This search may be for yourself. It may also be for a loved one. Regardless, there is something distressing occurring and it has become increasingly difficult to manage on one’s own. When struggling with mental health challenges the ability to address and cope with life stressors becomes increasingly difficult. Relationships may be strained, work may be overwhelming, isolation may be increasing, and the motivation to engage in a healthy lifestyle may be evermore difficult. Although anyone experiencing life stressors like these would benefit from connecting with a therapist, this blog post is meant for men.
Men are increasingly struggling in our society. The traditional masculine roles of eras gone by are shifting. Some men may be grappling with how to adapt to new social norms. As a result, men are confronted with a changing environment around them and knowing their place in the world. This is leading to increased mental health symptoms and a sense of shame for what they may be unable to address on their own. In 2020 the Center for Disease Control data suggested that men were 3 times more likely to die by suicide than woman while woman are almost twice as likely to seek mental health supports than men.
Many people overall, but especially men are never taught how to be vulnerable, to explore their emotions, to cope with mental health symptoms, and to effectively express themselves. It’s all too easy to turn to substance use or problematic behaviors to cope with life’s challenges. Anger and irritability compounds. Typical ways to manage situations including avoidance, procrastination, and blaming create bigger problems than were ever solved. Life is stressful, this is a given. The challenges imposed upon daily lives of people can become unbearable. Without having an outlet for these tensions and strategies to cope, there will be a breaking point.
Attending therapy is an act of courage. One definition of courage is “knowing what to do and doing it”. Another definition of courage is “the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, or uncertainty”. Stigma around mental health, pride, stereotypes about therapy, one’s own perceptions or beliefs, and commitment to change can be barriers for a meaningful therapy experience. These also take courage to overcome in a purposeful way for one’s self. This is all a lot but to say that men can benefit from engaging in therapy. There is no need to suffer because of outdated societal norms of what men should be. Therapy can be a valuable investment in oneself and can provide insights, tools, and support to confront life's challenges and improve one's overall well-being.
