Men’s Health Month: Why Is It Difficult For Men To Seek Help?

Why is Men’s Health Month Celebrated?

Men’s Health Month is celebrated every year in June to increase awareness about men’s physical and mental health issues.

Studies show that men usually do not talk about health issues, and this further complicates the men’s health problems. The situation is dire in both Canada and the United States.

Just like Men’s Health Month, Men’s Health Week is also observed around the middle of June, ending on Father’s Day, which is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

When it comes to men’s mental health issues, some say it is a silent epidemic in North America, but few people talk about it.

In North America, male depression and suicide rates have increased considerably in recent years.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, males are nearly four times more likely than women to commit suicide, and more than 6 million men in the United States have depressive symptoms each year.

Despite these grim statistics, about half of the males felt more depressed than they confessed to their loved ones.

Why is it Difficult for Men to Talk About Their Health?

Men usually find it difficult to share their feelings, including health matters. But the situation becomes much more complicated when it comes to mental health issues.

 Men made up 75% of all completed suicides in Canada in 2019, and suicide was the biggest cause of death for young men in 2018.

 Men are frequently socialised not to express their emotions; therefore, as a group, men may cover their stress and deal with emotional distress through dangerous behaviours and acts, including suicide, rather than seeking help.

Some of the biggest barriers preventing males from getting mental health treatment are perceptions of weakness in needing therapy, worries of social rejection, and cultural considerations.

It is difficult to identify depression in males because they downplay symptoms, are usually reluctant to disclose depression symptoms, and also don’t recognise the conditions, etc.

One in two Canadian men are at risk of social isolation. Not having people to confide in is associated with higher stress and risk of depression.

Research shows social connections and strong supportive networks are really important for men. But the latest research shows the behaviour of men towards social relationships varied to a large extent.

The Importance of Men’s Physical Health

Several studies have shown that men are less likely to visit doctors compared to women. There are several factors behind this phenomenon. But this ‘wait and watch’ attitude significantly reduces their chances of early screening of chronic diseases.

This delayed help-seeking among men significantly increases their health problems.

Studies show that men have much riskier behaviour than women when it comes to health problems. This risky behaviour of men plays a significant role as to why men have shorter life expectancy than women.

Experts at the American Heart Association believe that it is the misguided masculinity that forces men to avoid doctors.

Men believe that they have to be seen as strong; they think they can’t be seen as weak, otherwise they will lose their social status.

Conclusion

It is clear that compared to women, men are less likely to seek help. The problem persists in both physical and mental consultation.

With rising levels of isolation and mental stress, men are also more likely to face mental issues as well.

All of these studies and data suggest that we as a society need to play our part so that men can be encouraged to seek help, and Men’s health month provides us this opportunity.

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