The Men’s Mental Health Crisis: You Can’t Repress Your Health
Mental health is not a new topic or concept for many of us. Every January, Canada joins Bell Media for Bell Let’s Talk, and seasonal depression is a trending topic on TikTok and Twitter. But there is a newer trend emerging, one that doesn’t get as much coverage: the recognition of the men’s mental health crisis. Again, the concept that men, like any other person or gender, have mental health or mental illness is not new. However, it’s alarming to note that 4 out of 5 suicides are by men, and new studies show that men can also suffer from post-partum depression. The same article also spoke to the fact that around 10% of men suffer from mental health issues, which is directly comparable to the reported rate of 11% for women. For 2SLGBTQ+ folks suicide attempts sit another 2.5x higher and depression and anxiety is around 1.5x higher.
In the last couple of decades there has been plenty of mental health coverage and resources created for women and 2SLGBTQ+ folks, but considerably less for men. However, middle aged men –ages 40-60– are the highest rates for suicide and are now considered a high-risk group because of it. A major contributing factor to this is the belief most commonly (though certainly not exclusively) among men that mental illness isn’t real, or is equitable to weakness. These ideas are driving factors for why many men don’t get the mental health help or support they need.
This idea is direct evidence for why the patriarchy hurts everyone. The cultural need to repress mental illness symptoms has been seen to manifest physically in men through symptoms like migraines, IBS, and back pain. The other side to repressing, or masking as it’s also called, are ailments like depression. This can contribute to dangerous behavior like verbal or physical violence, hostile behavior, excess consumption of alcohol or drugs, or womanizing. Currently there aren’t many organizations or government programs that exclusively support men and men’s mental health, but a BC-based organization called HeadsUpGuys is a Movember Foundation funded group that is dedicated to supporting men living with depression, as well as their friends and families. Based out of the University of British Columbia, the organization provides advice, information about professional services, and stories of recovery.
It’s well documented that in Canada, 1 in 5 people will develop a mental illness in their lifetime. Mental illness, just like physical ones, don’t discriminate against gender, race, or circumstance. Anyone can become mentally ill. It's important to change the narrative for men that it is okay to ask for help, it is okay to not be okay. Around the world, this newly noted lack of support and information on men’s mental health is leading to more action for needs-driven over gender-driven approaches to health care. A study in Australia reports that a men-only prompt list for physicians and patients, designed to overcome male reticence and low mental health literacy, assisted 60% of male patients in raising [mental health] issues with their doctor.
Every human being deserves support for their mental and physical health. If you, or someone you know, is in need of mental health resources you can make an appointment to see a counselor for free with Okanagan College, The Foundry for folks under 24, Third Space, and through the Canadian Mental Health Association. For immediate, or virtual assistance you can contact here2talk.ca, and TalkSuicide.ca. You are not alone, your experience is valid.
In Solidarity,
OCSU