Unlike women, men in general find it effeminate when they become uninhibited with their mental health issues. Discussing their mental health issues with other people is an uncharted territory where they are clueless on how and why they have to do it.
However, this stigma among men should be changed. Their mental health should be held in high regard and should be discussed openly without shame and judgment. Based on the data from National Institute of Mental Health, around 15.1% of adult men are diagnosed with any mental illness.
What should men do for their mental health?
1. Take care of your body.
Healthy body begets a healthy mind. Even if you are feeling stressed out at work or at home, nourish your body with healthy meals, regular exercise and sleep. Do not forget to drink plenty of water and take your daily vitamins.
Taking care of your body creates a positive and happier you. It lessens your stress and occupies your mind with beautiful thoughts.
2. Know your worth.
Your failures and mistakes do not define you. Never let these things rule your life. Let criticisms and judgment be your stepping stones in achieving your goal. Treat yourself with respect and kindness so that negative things will not easily bring you down.
Give time to do your hobbies, meet friends and learn new things. Just give yourself the love and happiness that you deserve without minding other people’s thoughts about you.
3. Set realistic goals.
Do not be too hard on yourself. Enjoy life while fulfilling your dreams. Do not stress out with other people’s achievements. If your friends are getting married, do not feel pressured on finding a partner. If you just got hired, do not expect to be a millionaire in two years time or get promoted right away.
List down what you want to achieve in the next few years. Whether you want to travel, to take your Master’s degree or to open a business, all is possible when you really work hard while enjoying your life.
4. Learn how to deal with stress.
Stress is part of life and even if you do not want it, you still need to learn how to handle it with grace and maturity. If you are feeling stressed out at work or at home, teach yourself to do some ways to relieve your anxiety.
Learn how to do meditation or any relaxation techniques that do not need too much space, effort and time. It is also helpful if you take a walk to clear your mind, play your favorite music or write in your journal.
5. Connect with good people.
Men tend to isolate or withdraw themselves from people whenever they have problems. This increases the risk of violence, alcohol or substance abuse or suicide because these will serve as their outlets. Being alone opens the doors to negative and unpleasant thoughts.
It is best that you surround yourself with people that are important to you. Even if you have problems, be with them and see the beauty in your life. Your children are enough to be your inspiration to move forward.
6. Prioritize your mental wellness.
Sad to say, many men do not prioritize their mental health. Being too vocal about it will just show that they are too weak to handle it on their own. Taking care of your mind is as important as taking care of your body.
There are seminars and forums you can find in your community or online that promote awareness about the different aspects of mental health. If you need to attend a therapy, go and do not see it as unhelpful and expensive. Read books and join group discussions that will help your mind be healthy.
7. Ask for help.
There is no shame in asking for help about anything, especially about your mental health. If you notice that there are drastic changes in your lifestyles and they are bringing you down, it is time to seek medical help.
Changes in eating and sleeping patterns, constant mood swings, withdrawing from others are just some of the red flags that you need to worry about. If you have been feeling extremely lonely and sad for months because of a problem, contact a licensed therapist.
How to show support to men with mental health issues?
Men try so hard in concealing their problems and stress from everyone. They avoid discussing them at all costs. They always convince themselves that they can manage on their own or their issues should not be a burden to anyone.
1. Engage them in a conversation.
Men have never been very open to discussions about their mental health issues. However, they can slowly open up about them when they know they can trust you. A simple conversation about sports, movies or any interesting topics can uplift their mood. They just need to know that there is someone out there they can lean on.
2. Validate their feelings.
Whenever they open up about their feelings, do not dismiss them. Do not tell them that those feelings are irrelevant and petty. Listen to them and try to understand where all these are coming from. If there is something to be worried about, help them to find a licensed therapist.
3. Do not ignore any suicide remarks.
If you keep on hearing from someone that they loathe or want to end their life, do not ignore those remarks. They may be a sign for help.
4. Invite them to social events.
Encourage them to attend social events even if it is just an intimate dinner among friends. Going to parties gives them an avenue to meet new faces and to talk about their life. It may spark up an interest because they know someone who shares the same likes in life.
5. Encourage them to seek medical help.
If you see that they badly need help, recommend a place where they could get excellent therapy near me or counseling sessions. Mindshift Psychological Services helps men overcome their grief and sadness in life. They know how hard it is to discuss sensitive things to strangers. That is why they provide a place for them to feel safe, secure and comfortable.
Check their website to know more about them and their services. You can book an appointment online or through this number: (714) 584 – 9700. Their services include Depression Therapy, Trauma Therapy near me and Psychotherapy for Individuals.
