June is National Men’s Health Month – the perfect time to be aware and open about a subject that many guys would rather not talk about. And yet, that’s precisely why there is a silent epidemic in this country, and it’s probably impacting your family, co-workers, teachers, community members or friends. We’re talking about men’s mental health. Read on!
Rates of male depression and suicide have risen dramatically in recent years. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and more than 6 million men in the U.S. experience symptoms of depression every year.
Despite these sobering statistics, a recent survey revealed that 49% of men felt more depressed than they admitted to the people in their lives. Perceptions of weakness about requiring therapy, fears of social disapproval and cultural factors are some of the main barriers inhibiting men from seeking mental health assistance. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in seven men will experience abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime, but men are substantially less likely than other populations to pursue mental health assistance.
Why does male depression go undiagnosed so often?
Men with depression often aren’t diagnosed for several reasons, including:
- Failure to recognize depression. You may think that feeling sad or emotional is always the main symptom of depression. But for many men, that isn’t the primary symptom. For example, headaches, digestive problems, tiredness, irritability or long-term pain can sometimes indicate depression. So can feeling isolated and seeking distraction to avoid dealing with feelings or relationships.
- Downplaying signs and symptoms. You may not recognize how much your symptoms affect you, or you may not want to admit to yourself or to anyone else that you’re depressed. But ignoring, suppressing or masking depression with unhealthy behavior will only worsen the negative emotions.
- Reluctance to discuss depression symptoms. You may not be open to talking about your feelings with family or friends, let alone with a doctor or mental health professional. Like many men, you may have learned to emphasize self-control. You may think it’s not “manly” to express feelings and emotions associated with depression, and you try to suppress them.
- Resisting mental health treatment. Even if you suspect you have depression, you may avoid diagnosis or refuse treatment. You may avoid getting help because you’re worried that the stigma of depression could damage your career or cause family and friends to lose respect for you.
Notice the warning signs of depression.
According to Families for Depression Awareness, signs of adult depression – which are changes from how the person usually is – may include:
- Talking very negatively or expressing hopelessness.
- Acting without concern for others.
- Abusing alcohol or drugs.
- Picking fights or being irritable, critical or mean.
- Withdrawing from family and friends.
- Having trouble at work, school or home.
- Problems concentrating, making decisions or remembering.
- Talking suddenly about separation or divorce.
- Complaining of physical aches and pains.
- Eating too little or too much.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
When to Get Professional Help
Everyone faces challenges and obstacles in life that can knock you down, but some difficulties can weigh heavier than others and become a mental illness. If you begin to notice some of the previously listed warning signs in yourself or others – including substance abuse or addiction, increased risk-taking behavior, a loss of interest in passions or hobbies, and changes in diet or routine – it might be time to get professional help. Organizations like Heads Up Guys offer free online depression self-check tools to help you identify warning signs.
Many people live with what’s known as major depression (or major depressive disorder). According to recent research, it’s the second-leading cause of disability in the U.S. What’s important to remember is that depression (and other mental health issues) are just as important to treat as physical health conditions. Without treatment, depression can lead to a reduced quality of life, risk of self-harm and the worsening of other medical issues.
It’s also important to know that depression can be a recurring disorder – meaning that even after recovery, it can come back and need to be treated again.
Finally, it’s vital that all of us speak up and fight against stigma for the mental health of the men in our lives. We all have mental health, and we should all be able to talk about it when we’re facing difficult moments in life. Whether it’s a friend, family member or co-worker, you can open the door to having a real conversation and get someone the help they need to thrive.
Hally Links – and More
If you’re a member of one of our health plans, your benefits likely include Hally® health virtual visits*, which can connect you 24/7 with a doctor or therapist for a behavioral health appointment and more. Just visit hally.com/care, scroll down to Virtual Visits and click Get Started. And for more information on men’s mental health issues, visit these links:
- Find helpful resources for depression here on our website.
- Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management of depression from our partners at Carle Health.
- Read more about men and depression in this short article from Reid Health and this blog piece from Memorial Health.
* Virtual visits aren’t available on all plans. Also, some plans feature virtual visits through a source other than hally.com. To see if virtual visits are available on your plan (and to see if they’re offered through hally.com), please see your health plan materials or call the number on the back of your health plan ID card.