Five Tips to Support Men's Mental Health

Five tips to become an ally for men’s mental health

Each year, 7 million Canadians will experience a mental health concern. While women are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety, men have significantly higher rates of addiction and suicide — males account for four of every five suicides in Canada.

Thanks to a growing movement to destigmatize mental health in our society, more and more people are feeling comfortable getting help and talking to others. However, due to societal pressures and stigmas, men are still less likely to discuss their mental health openly, leading to an epidemic many have coined a “silent crisis.”

Why are men less likely to talk about their mental health?

Did you know men can experience postpartum depression and male menopause? Despite the fact that men and women can experience the same mental illnesses, men are considerably more withdrawn when it comes to speaking up and seeking support and/or treatment for mental health.

Standards of masculinity such as holding back emotions and not communicating one’s feelings are major barriers when it comes to male mental health. Because of these standards, many men see mental health challenges as a sign of weakness and experience shame when talking about their mental well-being. Men who see themselves in a provider role may also have a belief that mental health challenges make them a burden to their families.

Ultimately, this lack of communication from men can actually make their mental health concern worse, since many mental illnesses are easier to treat if they are identified early on.

Signs someone is experiencing a mental health challenge

Men and women have very different symptoms when it comes to mental health challenges. Some of the most common signs that might indicate a male in experiencing a mental health concern include:

Anger, irritability, or aggressive behaviour
Loss of hope
Lack of interest in hobbies once found enjoyable
Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Engaging in high-risk activities like gambling or substance misuse
Lack of energy (eg.sleep disruption, fatigue etc.)

How to be an ally for men’s mental health

If you have a loved one or friend who you think is experiencing a mental health challenge, there are many things you can do to support them.

1. Inform and educate yourself
Before you reach out, inform yourself on men’s mental health. Read articles that address the differences between male and female mental health and the specific ways male mental health is stigmatized. This will help make you a more empathetic and informed listener.

2. Listen actively and don’t judge
Many people can be embarrassed when it comes to talking about their mental health – especially someone who isn’t used to sharing their intimate feelings. Instead of offering your advice, remain quiet and listen actively, without judgement. Active listening will build trust and make them more likely to come to you for support.

3. Ask how you can help
Instead of telling them how to solve their problems, ask what you can do or how you can support them in this time. Maybe they don’t want your help right now, or maybe just talking to you has helped them make strides towards getting help. You might say “What can I do to support you right now?” or ask “What do you need from me to help support you?”

4. Help them access resources
At the end of the day, you cannot be a therapist or psychologist for a friend or loved one. Help them get professional help by making it easy for them to access resources. For example, if they have mentioned suicidal thoughts, make sure they have access to a crisis line number. Or help them research a support group if this is something they have expressed interest in.

5. Offer encouragement
It’s hard to talk about mental health, no matter how close to a person you are. When someone does make the step to talk to you, make sure you encourage them. You might say: “Thank you for sharing this with me. I know this is a big step and I am always here to support you.”