Morgen Makombo Sikwila
It is important to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of men’s well-being: mental health.
Addressing men’s mental health is crucial as significant challenges persist in men seeking the support they need. Seeking mental health support is crucial for men because they are statistically less likely to seek help when struggling, leading to higher rates of suicide and other negative outcomes. Openly addressing mental health can improve relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life, while early intervention can prevent issues from worsening.
According to the World Health Organization, health includes complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity. Statistics on men’s mental health are alarming. Males aged 18 and over are reported to have mental or behavioural conditions, with suicide rates three times higher among males than females, and men twice as likely to develop substance abuse disorders. Suicide and self-inflicted injuries are the leading causes of premature death among males aged 15 years and older. Concern over men seeking help for their mental remains mired in scepticism, avoidance, and stigma. Men in both urban and rural areas in Africa struggle to seek help, often influenced by societal expectations of toughness, masculinity and self-reliance. Cultural considerations such notions of men as “providers” further contribute towards reluctance in men to discuss mental health issues. These notions are deeply ingrained within society, with many men viewing it as a sign of weakness or failure. This cultural backdrop makes it imperative to understand and address the unique triggers and barriers men face in seeking mental health support.
Men don’t go to therapists or mental health counselors for a variety of reasons, including pressure around societal norms, reluctance to talk about their problems, embarrassment and shame. Women are more likely than men to receive any kind of mental health treatment. Unfortunately, men aren’t going to physicians for regular medical care, check-ups, or run-of-the-mill injuries either. Men would rather do household chores than go to the doctor. Once there, they are not forthcoming about their issues.
Headaches, like migraines, affect men. But because migraines are invisible and have been viewed historically as a woman’s illness, men are less likely to consult a doctor or get diagnosed with migraine. One of the biggest mental health problems affecting men is depression. Men are at greater risk of having their depression go untreated and even worsen because they are less likely to seek help for their symptoms.
Depression isn’t the only major mental health problem affecting men. The incidence of schizophrenia is much higher in men than in women, and the age of onset is three to four years earlier for men than women. Another big mental health problem for men concerns alcohol addiction and substance abuse. In Africa, men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, and that the use of these drugs are “more likely to result in emergency department visits or overdose deaths” for men than women. Men don’t go to therapists or mental health counselors for a variety of reasons, including pressure around societal norms, reluctance to talk about their problems, embarrassment, and shame.
Bombarded with messages from their culture or heritage, many men end up wanting to conform to a traditional masculine gender role. As a result, men are trapped because they don’t want to show weakness or vulnerability, especially when it comes to mental health problems. As a result, women are more likely than men to receive any kind of mental health treatment.
Men don’t going to physicians for regular medical care, check-ups, or run-of-the-mill injuries either. Men would rather do household chores than go to the doctor. Once there, they are not forthcoming about their issues.
Headaches, like migraines, affect men. But because migraines are invisible and have been viewed historically as a woman’s illness, men are less likely to consult a doctor or get diagnosed with migraine. Another biggest mental health problems affecting men is depression. Millions of men are affected by depression in Africa per year, according to WHO. Research has also shown that men are at greater risk of having their depression go untreated and even worsen because they are less likely to seek help for their symptoms.
Depression isn’t the only major mental health problem affecting men. The incidence of schizophrenia is much higher in men than in women, and the age of onset is three to four years earlier for men than women.
Another big mental health problem for men concerns alcohol addiction and substance abuse. Men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, and that the use of these drugs are “more likely to result in emergency department visits or overdose deaths” for men than women.
When it comes to male suicide, statistics from WHO are sobering. The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged men. Men’s deaths are attributable to suicide and are almost four times higher than for women.
While there are barriers for men to overcome that are often related to socio-cultural influences, mental health professionals usually offer the same options for treatment to men and women. They include medication, psychotherapy, and or lifestyle changes.
There are a wide variety of psychotropic medications available to treat common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. While it’s best to see a psychiatrist – a doctor who specializes in mental health and the prescription of psychotropic medication – some men might feel uncomfortable seeing a mental health specialist. In this case, even consulting with regular doctor can get one on the right path towards the best medication.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can also be extremely helpful when dealing with mental health issues. Some therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are action-focused and can be time-limited, sometimes only lasting eight to 12 weeks; this could be a good introduction to therapy for men who are otherwise unsure about committing to long-term treatment.
Diet, exercise, and getting good sleep are examples of helpful lifestyle changes that can positively impact mental health. Mental health professionals may recommend a variety of lifestyle and self-help approaches such as using relaxation techniques, doing breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation,
exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, getting enough quality sleep, finding meaning in life and spending time with family and friends.
Common triggers that prompt men to seek help, including work problems, family issues, and environmental factors. Often, it is the people around them—family, friends, or colleagues—who notice changes in their behaviour and encourage them to seek support. This external prompting is a significant factor in overcoming the initial resistance to seeking help. Family and community networks play a crucial role in providing support during difficult times, with trust and the perception of not being judged cited as key reasons for men to seek help, particularly when professional services are not available.
For many men, the pressure to provide for their loved ones can be overwhelming, leading to stress and emotional disconnection. Perceived failures in this area are a major cause of stress, causing men to withdraw emotionally as they struggle to meet societal expectations. This emotional disconnection can create a vicious cycle, further isolating men and exacerbating their mental health issues.
Notions of masculinity, stoicism, and self-reliance contribute to the challenges men face in seeking mental health support. Low health literacy (insufficient knowledge surrounding health care and treatment options), particularly in Africa’s rural areas, and the stigma associated with mental illness prevent many men from reaching out for help. Men often feel they must manage their mental health issues on their own, leading to further isolation and deterioration of their mental health. Barriers to accessing health services can impede the best possible health outcomes for males.
Community and peer support play a vital role for men facing mental health challenges. Men, naturally desire a greater sense of autonomy in choosing their healthcare providers and having a say in their treatment plans. Issues such as perceptions of professionalism, authenticity, and systemic barriers (such as the ease of entry into the healthcare system) significantly impact men’s willingness to seek help. These issues often lead to ruptures in the relationship between men and their medical professionals.
Among the most significant factors influencing re-engagement in therapy, the importance of clinician-driven reconciliationcan not be overemphasised. Men are more likely to reengage in therapeutic services when there are options that included community participation programs and stronger connections with peer workers. Peer workers with lived experience are particularly effective in helping other men feel understood and safe when discussing their problems.
To effectively engage men in mental health services, it is essential to address the reasons for their reluctance to seek help. This involves communicating the importance of feeling heard, respected, and understood. Trust-building and significant efforts to provide mental health education from early therapeutic engagements are crucial. Clear outlines of treatment plans and setting expectations upfront can prevent disengagement due to poor health literacy.
While work still needs to be done to end the stigma about men seeking mental health services, a major change in terms of improving help-seeking behavior through education, motivation, increased use of male role models, and the increased building on positive masculinity should be employed to make a difference.
It is vital to recognise that engaging men in mental health services requires a multifaceted approach. By addressing societal expectations, providing community and peer support, and ensuring that men feel valued and understood, significant strides in improving men’s mental health can be made. This opportunity can be used to break the silence and encourage men to seek the help they need.
Learning more about mental health and mental illness can help men decide to seek support, and being encouraged to do so can bolster their determination. In addition, seeing other men talk about mental health and model good mental hygiene can help men feel less alone in their struggles and be more likely to speak up about what they are experiencing.
Traditional notions of masculinity can inhibit men from seeking help for psychological problems, with a stronger impact on men who experience socioeconomic disadvantage, discrimination or marginalization (e.g. men in sexual minority, refugee and migrant, rural and ethnic minority groups). Despite the barriers presented by male socialization, local cultural norms and wider societal forces, the evidence identified ways to facilitate men’s help-seeking for mental health issues – and the help being offered to men. A supportive environment in which help-seeking is normalized can encourage men to discuss their emotional issues and seek help. In another strategy, reframing help-seeking as a more masculine behaviour in mental health promotion interventions, or by men themselves, may lead more men to engage. Questioning traditional constructions of masculinity can help men to come to terms with their vulnerability and encourage help-seeking. However, despite recent interest in male mental health issues, there is scope for further work. There is a clear need for masculinity studies scholars, gender experts, social psychology specialists and mental health practitioners in the WHO to develop an interdisciplinary research programme on culture, men, masculinities and gender equality, masculinity and mental health.
Morgen Makombo Sikwila
BSc Counselling
Diploma in Environmental Health
Certificate in Marketing Management
