June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health issues are more common amongst women than men. This however, may be due to the fact that men’s mental health issues go underreported. Instead of seeking help for their issues, many men suffer in silence. This is why we must work hard to erase the stigma associated with mental health.
Here are some alarming facts regarding men and mental health:
1. Over 6 million men suffer from depression each year in the US, often going undiagnosed.
2. The suicide rate in men is four times higher than that of women
3. Men are two-thirds more likely to misuse drugs than women.
4. Approximately 3 million men in the United Stated experience a panic disorder
5. Of the 3.5 million Americans diagnosed with schizophrenia, 90 percent of those diagnosed by the age of 30 are men.
With such alarming statistics, raising awareness on men’s mental health issues is crucial. It is important to eradicate the barriers that prevent men from seeking help. Some reasons that men may not be open to receiving help are fear of judgment, being perceived as weak, and lack of financial resources to name a few. Even when men do seek out help for their mental health struggles, the care often falls short. For example, some may feel that their provider underestimated their needs or misdiagnosed them due to their own gender biases.
There is hope. Treatments to combat mental health issues exist. Asking for help may be difficult but going without treatment can worsen the situation. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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