How can we support men’s mental health?

Carl is in his late forties and has two teenage daughters. A few years ago, he started having obsessive thoughts. Images of a world destroyed by climate change kept turning over and over in his mind. He couldn’t watch news about the environment anymore. It was as though an enormous shadow was hanging over his head.

For several months, Carl tried to overcome this eco-anxiety on his own. He tried to see the positive side of the climate news, but to no avail. Finally, he couldn’t take it. He decided to tell his family doctor (fortunately he had one). He explained what he was feeling all through the day. His doctor understood and prescribed him antidepressants along with a recommendation for therapy. Carl quickly recovered. After some hesitation, he told his partner what he was going through. And she was very supportive. It was one of the best decisions in his life.

Many men reject the idea of going to see a mental health practitioner. They think they’ll be able to overcome their difficulties on their own and that time will make things better. They isolate themselves and keep quiet. Studies show that men are less likely to seek help than women for mental health issues.

Why are men less likely to seek help for mental health problems?

Men often don’t see much point in treatment. They also tend to be less knowledgeable about mental health, according to a report from the Mental Health Commission of Canada. So they may wait longer before talking to someone. Unfortunately, many don’t seek help until a full-blown crisis erupts.

Factors that may explain their reluctance include the following:

• Stigma. Fear of stereotyping and discrimination often discourage men from seeking help for their mental health issues. They’re also worried about how it could impact their careers. Men who admit to psychological vulnerability are still stigmatized, according to Anxiety Canada. Most do not seek help, and that can cause serious problems. Witness the fact that, of the 4,000 suicide deaths in Canada every year, 75% are of men. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among men ages 15 to 39. There are significant differences between men and women regarding death by suicide. Men are more likely to choose high-risk methods of taking their own life. Research into gender disparities in suicidal behaviour has revealed a paradox: Men are more likely to die from suicide, while women are more likely to attempt suicide.

• Toxic masculinity. Traditional views of the male role negatively influence how men manage their physical and mental health. It conditions men not to express their emotions.
• Invisible problems. Men’s mental health issues often go unnoticed. There is such a thing as “male depression,” characterized by irritability and anger rather than sadness. Mental health research suggests that men can experience depression differently than what’s described as “typical” depression in the diagnostic manuals recognized in the medical community. There’s a growing body of evidence supporting the existence of a specific form of depression in men. Described as “male depression”, it’s characterized by external symptoms such as irritability, anger, substance use, risk taking and impulsivity, rather than the internal symptoms often associated with depression (sadness, loss of interest, guilt).
• Lack of knowledge. Studies show that individuals who have a better understanding of mental health issues are more likely to seek help. So there’s a direct link between knowledge level and help-seeking. Unfortunately, men seem less able to identify the symptoms they’re experiencing and take them seriously.

More and more Canadian men are experiencing mental health problems. In 2022, 17% of men aged 15 years and older said their mental health was fair or poor. The problem affects everyone. No social class is immune to mental illness.

What are the main signs of a mental health problem?

Mental health issues can manifest in a variety of ways, with more or less obvious signs and symptoms. Here are some signs that a person may be experiencing a mental health problem:

• Tendency towards seclusion
• Increased use of alcohol and drugs
• Sleep problems and loss of appetite
•  Lack of energy
• Mood swings and expressing themselves differently
• Disorganization (difficulty organizing themselves and functioning normally)
• Memory loss
• Nausea or dizziness
• Prolonged state of sadness
• Or, conversely, episodes of euphoria or intense excitation
• Difficulty concentrating

Early signs of mental health problems can sometimes be seen in childhood or adolescence. It’s important to monitor the onset of such symptoms in order to intervene as needed.

Mental health disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender. However, some disorders appear to be more common among men.

What mental health disorders are most common among men?

1. Depression

Men may express their depression differently than “typical” depression. “Male depression” is often characterized by externalized behaviours such as irritability, anger, substance use, risk taking and impulsivity. This specific form of depression is frequently undiagnosed. Indeed, these symptoms do not correspond to the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing depression. The DSM-5 is a manual used by health professionals to diagnose mental health disorders.

Common symptoms include

• Fatigue
• Anger
• Irritability
• Lack of interest in work and other activities

Symptoms can occur over long periods of time. They can affect work, home and social life.

Depression affects everyone and can strike at any time and at any age. In Canada, 11% of men and 16% of women will experience a major depressive episode in the course of their lives.

2. Anxiety

People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) worry constantly, excessively and uncontrollably. Anxiety Canada notes that they often experience uncomfortable physical symptoms as well. These may include

• Sweating
• Stomach discomfort
• Irritability
• Sleep problems
• Difficulty paying attention or concentrating, etc.

According to data from 2022, over 5 million canadians (18%) aged 15 or older met the disgnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or sbstance use disorder in the previous 12 months.

3. Burnout

Job burnout, or simply “burnout”, is a syndrome characterized by physical and mental fatigue. The cause is work-related. Job burnout occurs when there’s an imbalance between workplace demands, “pressure at work”, and the resources available to deal with it. When work demands exceed an individual’s ability to respond to them, it results in exhaustion and an ability to properly carry out professional duties. A person with burnout will generally be frustrated, dissatisfied, tired of going to work, and will find it hard to deal with others at work, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. They’re cynical, critical and disillusioned about their work over a long period of time. Burnout isn’t depression, but it can lead to depression.

Burnout has been increasing since the pandemic. In Canada, 21.2% of all employed people report high or very high levels of work-related stress.

Consider checking whether your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Such a program would provide you and your family access to a variety of support services. Typically, EAP providers will have a 24/7 helpline available. A trained counsellor can then put you in touch with the appropriate professional for your needs, whether it’s a psychologist, therapist, or another specialist.

Where can men get mental health assistance?

Feeling like your mental health is poor? That you don’t know where to turn? That your well-being has been low for a while? Don’t hesitate to seek help from a qualified professional. It will help you feel better again and learn useful, lifelong coping strategies.

1. Info-Social 811

Hurting and looking for help? Call 811, option 2 to reach Info-Social. It’s a free service that lets you talk to a mental health worker by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

2. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

The Canadian Men’s Health Foundation has what it calls the MindFit Toolkit. It’s available online and includes self-assessments, tips from experts and free virtual counselling sessions.

3. Buddy Up

Buddy Up is a men’s suicide prevention communications campaign. It’s run by the Centre for Suicide Prevention in Calgary and aims to drive authentic conversation amongst men on mental health issues.

4. HeadsUpGuys

HeadsUpGuys is a is a program of The University of British Columbia. Their team of clinicians, researchers, and mental health advocates is dedicated to supporting men living with depression, as well as their friends and families.

5. The Canadian Centre for Men and Families

This mental health and social service center provides programs and services for boys, men, fathers, and their families, with a focus on reducing suicide among high-risk men.