There is a big focus on safeguarding everybody’s health, and this should include mental health. Mental health can sometimes not be taken as seriously as physical health because you cannot see it. Men’s mental health can also be disregarded more than women’s mental health. This is because men are seen as the members of society that need to be strong and relied on. That doesn’t mean that they will not need support at some point in their lives. As mental health is a difficult topic to discuss, especially for men, here are a few ways that you can help:
Help to get rid of the stigma
There is a stigma around mental health, but men find it significantly more challenging to talk about their struggles with mental health than women do. Many men feel like they have to try and live up to the stereotype of being strong, and for many this includes emotional strength. It can be hard to change the perception that struggling with your mental health somehow makes you weak.
We can try to change the perception by beginning to open up and talk about mental health. It shouldn’t be something that you feel ashamed of, because most people struggle with it at some point in life. We need to educate people to show that physical health is just as important as mental health, and if you need it, it is okay to ask for help. In fact, it could be one of the strongest things you do because it can be hard to ask for help.
Helping yourself
Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. There are many ways that you can make sure you are doing everything you can to look after your mental health. These include:
- Opening up to people - You don’t have to open up to everyone you meet but if you have a trusted friend or family member that you can talk to about the things that are on your mind it will help.
- Exercise - Exercise is just as good for your mental health as it is for your physical health. You don’t need to go to the gym every day, but you could go for a walk around a park to get some fresh air and get active.
- Find a hobby that helps you to unwind - Stress can build up if all you do is work, so you need to find a hobby that you can do to destress and have a bit of fun. It could be rock climbing, or something more creative. Whatever you do make time for you.
Help the men in your life
If you notice someone is struggling, you could try to find them the help that they need. There might be a support group in their local area that they can attend, or you could take them to see a doctor. If things start to get more serious, you can look into a mens rehab program that can help them with recovery.
