23 Dec
How to support men’s mental health
Mental health is an important issue that deserves to be talked about more. According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders are one of the leading causes of ill-health and disability in the world. In this blog post, we will discuss how to support men’s mental health. We will cover why it is important, and provide some tips on how you can help out a man who is struggling. With that said, let’s get started!
What is Men’s Mental Health?
Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make a contribution to his or her community. Taking care of one’s mental health is critical as it can impact every aspect of life. Unfortunately, mental health is often stigmatized, and men are particularly reluctant to talk about it. This is likely due to the fact that society has traditionally viewed men as strong and invulnerable. As a result, men may feel like they have to bottle up their emotions and deal with them on their own. This can lead to serious problems down the line.
Why is Men’s Mental Health Important?
Mental health is important for everyone, but it is especially crucial for men. This is because men are more likely to experience certain mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety and deal with them in solitude. Additionally, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50 (Source). In fact, in 2020, it was reported that men died by suicide 3.88x more than women, with an average of nearly 130 suicides per day (Source). Consequently, it is important to learn how to support men’s mental health.
How to Support Men’s Mental Health?
Here are some tips on how you can support a man in your life who is struggling with his mental health:
Tip #1 – Actively Listen
The first step is to simply listen. It can be difficult for men to open up about their feelings, so let him know that you are there for him and ready to listen. Show that you care by giving him your full attention and refrain from interrupting. Just let him speak and share whatever he feels comfortable sharing. At the end of the day, you want to focus on listening for the sake of understanding as opposed to listening for the sake of trying to come up with a response.
Tip #2 – Stay Objective & Don’t Judge
It is important to be supportive, not judgmental. Avoid making assumptions or passing judgment on what a man is saying. Remember, you are not in his shoes and you do not know exactly what he is going through. The best thing you can do is to be understanding and accepting of whatever he chooses to share. Simply observe their points and feelings without adding your own interpretation to the situation.
Tip #3 – Be Optimistic and Encouraging
When men are going through a tough time, it is easy for them to become negative and lose hope. As somebody who is supporting him, it is important to remain positive and upbeat. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore the seriousness of the situation. Rather, you should try to find a way to focus on the silver lining and encourage him to do the same. At the end of the day, what you choose to focus on can heavily impact your perception on all the events around you. If you seek an optimistic opportunity, you will see all the opportunities that life has to offer. Comparatively, if you focus on the negative, that is all you will see.
Tip #4 – Take care of Your Mental and Physical Well-Being and Lead By Example
You cannot pour from an empty cup. In order to be there for somebody else, you need to take care of yourself first. This means maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing your own stress levels. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Furthermore, it is important to find healthy ways to cope with stress. This could involve things like journaling, yoga, or spending time outdoors. At the end of the day, sometimes leading by example is the best approach to inspire others.
Tip 5 – Seek Professional Help
If you feel like you are in over your head, do not hesitate to seek professional help. This is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you need help and to reach out for assistance. If you are struggling to find help, consider contacting us today. We offer several virtual therapy services in Ontario and across Canada. We also offer psychological services all across Canada including but not limited too:
- Psychologist Oakville
- Psychologist Toronto
- Psychologist Mississauga
- Psychologist Hamilton
- Counselling for Trauma
- Counselling for Addiction
- ADHD Diagnosis
- EMDR Therapy
- Grief Counselling
- Child Psychologist Services
- Psychoeducational Assessment
- Marriage Counselling
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to learn how to support men’s mental health. This includes things like actively listening, staying objective, being encouraging, and leading by example. If you are struggling to support a man in your life, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help.
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Thank you for reading! We hope this article was helpful. For more info, feel free to check out some of our other blog posts down below!
