It's Okay to cry...

 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.

'One in eight men have a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)'

As with many mental health statistics, it's hard to know if the figures really represent what is happening. They can only tell us about Mental health problems that have been reported - many cases will go undiagnosed. This may be especially true when it comes to Men's mental health.  

As a Mental Health Professional with over 10 yrs experience in the field, I'm not surprised the stigma around men and their mental health has impacted on society so much recently. Societal expectations and traditional gender roles also play a part in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their mental health problems. We all know old, outdated gender stereotypes about women – the way they should behave or look a certain way, for example – this can be damaging to them. But it’s important to understand that men can be effected by stereotypes and expectations too, just like women and other gender groups. 

Roman Kemp's documentary on BBC1 on last night (16/03/21)  #oursilentemergency was a true account and reflection on exactly how mental health impacts lives; it can happen to 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘. But society makes it harder for men to say "I'm not okay"- Why is this??

In a recent survey conducted by MIND in 2019, 100 men were asked a series of questions regarding their mental health and how they felt talking about it; the figures are scary!

🔹 40% of men won't talk about their own mental health as they seem weak
🔹 77% of men have suffered with stress & depression and not got help
🔹 35% men claim their mental health has a negative impact on their work performance, parenting ability and in particular, relationships. 

Talking about mental health has always had a stigma attached to it, for everyone. This comes from the lack of awareness of mental health and types of issues, when cases were managed through institutions. Stigma comes when someone sees you in a negative way; in these cases , because of your 'mental illness'. This is discrimination. Due to these social stigmas, over time, it makes mental health problems worse and prevents a person from getting the help they need. 

When reading the MIND report, it was really concerning to see how men really felt about sharing their struggles & why they wouldn't choose to talk; 

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝓂𝑒𝓃 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓀 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓁 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽:

40% - I’ve learnt to deal with it
36% - don’t wish to be a burden to anyone
29% - I’m too embarrassed
60% - There’s negative stigma around this type of thing
17% - don’t want to admit I need support
46% - don’t want to appear weak
14% - have no one to talk to

Men are often expected to be the breadwinners, to be 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. If you have this view and/or you have voiced you views openly to a male -  How does that make you feel? You potentially have contributed to the increase in male who feel they don't have the confidence to speak up or seek help. Due to stereotypes,  men are more likely to use potentially harmful coping methods such as drugs or alcohol and less likely to talk about the mental health issues they are struggling with; this resulting in crisis and an increase in suicides.

Society needs to change.

Men need to be encouraged to talk. 

Suicide is preventable. 

... We all need to play our part now- before it's too late. 

To Everyone, 

Beautiful Minds Coaching offers a safe, supportive & confidential place to talk about your Mental Health struggles and challenges; No matter what gender, age or demographic. 

DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE.