Depression in Men: Breaking the Stigma and Seeking Help
Throughout history, men have upheld a specific image of themselves. Boys and men are usually taught from a young age that they must always appear masculine. However, that definition of masculine usually means no crying or talking about their emotions. Unfortunately, we have seen time and time again that withholding such emotions generally leads to problems with mental health, such as depression.
Women are more likely to seek professional help for mental health than men. This is most likely due to women having a softer stereotype than men. It’s high time men were allowed to experience their feelings and seek help if needed.
How Can Men Break The Stigma And Get Help?
Understanding that the stigmas around mental health are very real is a huge step to seeking help. Here are some other ways you can break free from the social mold:
Ignore The Stigma
This advice may be more easily said than done. Men often fear being ridiculed by peers, friends, or other male family members for attending therapy. Their remarks and teasing are no different from childhood bullying on the playground. Rise above it and get the help that is needed. Men really don’t have much to lose, except maybe some people in their lives who weren’t very supportive in the first place.
Educate Other Men About Therapy
Men who are seeking help should educate other men about what therapy is and what it entails. If more men did this, the stigma would be much easier to break. Also, more men may be willing to attend therapy if they knew more about how it works. Additionally, there could be a rapid decrease in the amount of false information spread, leading to less ridicule.
Talk To Other Men Who Attend Therapy
What better way to learn about something than talking to someone who has been through it? Talking to another man who attends therapy can ease men’s worries about what goes on in therapy. Of course, they likely won’t give you intimate details about their problems, as therapy is usually kept private and confidential. However, these men can give other men a more solid idea of what treatment entails.
Take Naysayers To A Session
This tip is a bit extreme and can only work if your therapist allows it. If the therapist says yes, attending a session with you could inspire the person who is being critical to attend therapy themselves. The therapist may even want to have a talk with them about how ridicule and teasing hurt others more than they think. Despite what they believe, depression is not something that should be “sucked up” or ignored. It only leads to fewer people seeking help and more undocumented cases of depression.
Talk To A Therapist About What Is Going On
Talking to a therapist about what you are experiencing before or after you seek help could make all the difference in how you handle it. Your therapist can give you more tips and ideas on how to get through or simply ignore the men who uphold the stigma. If you’re talking to a therapist before receiving treatment, they could also give you a firmer idea of what you can expect during a session. You could also better understand how therapy works and the best next steps for getting the help you need.
Stop Going It Alone
It’s impossible to rid the entire world of this stigma against men and therapy. But a lot of men are therapists themselves. They probably wouldn’t make an entire career out of it if they didn’t believe in it. Reach out today and find out more about how therapy can help you navigate life with more confidence.