In Tune with the Mind: Challenges and strengths for men’s mental health
By Nqoba M Sibenke
We recently celebrated International Men’s Day encouraging men to be proactive in issues to do with their health. It is unarguably true that there cannot be health without mental health. It is in this spirit that we explore potential strengths and challenges in men’s mental health issues.
Women are more susceptible to depression than males. However, men are less likely to seek treatment or help for their issues. This is a huge challenge as they tend to solve their issues violently due to their physical nature. Signs of depression in males include violence and gender-based violence. Most husbands who display abusive tendencies are going through depression.
There is a need for men to utilise social support and conversations in dealing with their depression. While it may be difficult to talk about depression in family circles, men can utilize friendships to talk about issues that bother them. There is a need for more dialogue in social spaces and support groups for men.
A huge issue is the stigma attached to men’s mental health due to stereotypes attached to genders. Society expects men to be strong and resilient and to face their challenges head-on. This creates a barrier for men to reach out when facing mental health challenges. There’s a need for more intentional efforts to tackle stigma related to mental health. Through awareness programs, psycho-education and perhaps testimonials from males who have benefited from mental health services.
A large number of males have issues with communication especially when it involves emotional subjects. This is a challenge even when they decide to seek help. Men are usually unsure of how they are feeling, which is a sign of low emotional awareness. Research shows that in childhood levels of emotional fluency are the same for both girls and boys. As boys grow their emotional fluency decreases due to the socializing aspects and discouragement from society.
There is a need for validation of emotions from childhood for example, when a boy falls and cries, they are told “umfana kakhali uzaba yisithutha/ a man does not cry it is a sign of weakness/mukomana haachemi anokura akapusa”. Strategies that may help improve this include intentional conversations about emotions, how one can be aware of their emotions, and how to increase emotional expression and emotional regulation. It is necessary to hold training to equip men with resources that can help develop emotional stamina.
Research has shown that women are more likely to attempt suicide than males, the difference is that men use lethal methods. For example, women may use pesticides but men will use ropes and guns. As a result, their attempts are more successful than those of women. What can be done to reduce these cases? Most people reach out before attempting suicide, we need to be more attentive and affirming. Watch out for symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies and offer help.
Some key strategies for positive mental health include positive social interactions and relationships, exercise and good nutrition, and regular checkups with the doctor. Ultimately let’s normalise seeking mental health help from professionals. We can change the narrative on men’s mental health. Together we can build a generation of healthy men. Men matter.
#Movember #Internationalmenshealthday #mentalhealth
Nqoba Sibenke is a registered intern Counselling Psychologist and can be reached at [email protected] / +263715330911
