Men's Mental health month: time to break the silence

Each year, November shines a spotlight on an often-

overlooked aspect of well-being - men’s mental health.

It’s a time to bring awareness, challenge stigma, and

encourage open conversations about the struggles that

men face in their emotional and mental health journey.

This month serves as a reminder that mental health is for

everyone, regardless of gender. Men are no exception, and

yet they often face unique barriers when it comes to

addressing their emotional health.

Societal expectations and traditional gender norms can

create pressure for men to appear “tough” “stoic” and “in

control”, which can make it difficult to admit that they’re

struggling.

According to various studies, men are less likely to seek

help for mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or

stress due to fears of being judged or appearing "weak".

The mental health crisis men face can manifest in

substance abuse, anger issues, and physical health

problems – yet these struggles often go unspoken.

The stigma needs to be broken so that men can feel

empowered to take care of themselves emotionally and by

de-stigmatising mental health, we can create an

environment where men feel safe to express their feelings,

seek therapy, or talk about their struggles without fear of

judgement.

If you’re a man reading this and you’ve been struggling with

your mental health, know that you’re not alone and seeking

help is a powerful step towards healing.