June 9-15 is Men’s Health Week, which is designed to heighten awareness of preventable health problems in men and boys. Men face several challenges: they die on average four years earlier than women, and are more likely to be overweight and have unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking to excess.
However, mental health is one of the biggest challenges for men. Statistics show that four out of five suicides are by men, and at least 50 per cent of men have struggled with mental health problems at some point. However, men are much less likely than women to open up about the way they are feeling and seek the support they need.
Why men bottle it up
In recent years, there has been a lot more progress towards normalising conversations about mental health, which is to be welcomed. Many high-profile men have spoken openly about their struggles, yet their efforts are undermined by a strong countercurrent of toxic masculinity.
This is a culture that has a growing influence, particularly on younger men, and it encourages the belief that expressing emotion is a sign of weakness and vulnerability. While being tough and resilient are valuable qualities, no one feels this way 100 per cent of the time, and never acknowledging difficult feelings can have serious consequences.
The cost of staying strong and silent
Continually burying emotions eventually blunts the ability to feel joy as well as pain, and this can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure). The suppressed emotions also tend to manifest in other negative ways, such as anger, irritability, or harmful or risky behaviours.
Chronic stress caused by a build up of internalised emotions can also cause physical health problems, such as disrupted sleep, poor digestion, high blood pressure or heart disease. It also damages relationships, as it makes it impossible to feel emotionally close to someone or to support them adequately when they need it.
Signs of hidden mental struggles
Sometimes men find it difficult to recognise they are struggling with an issue such as depression or anxiety, and it can also be hard to see in someone close to you if they don’t exhibit stereotypical symptoms. Be alert for signs such as:
- More frequent bouts of anger or irritability
- Worse quality of sleep or feeling exhausted all the time
- Increased consumption of alcohol or drugs
- Emotional numbness
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and social events
How therapy can help
At our private counselling service in Sheffield, we offer a non-judgemental space where you will be helped to make sense of confusing or difficult emotions. We will also work with you to put in place healthier coping strategies, which can result in a better quality of life and improved personal and professional relationships.
Unaddressed emotional problems are not a trivial matter: they can escalate to a crisis point, and early intervention can help to get you back on track.