Are you feeling lost and uncertain about the way your life is going? Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Do you wish you had someone to talk to but are afraid that asking for help isn’t “the manly thing to do?”
From a young age, men are taught rigid masculinity – that is to be strong and to keep their emotions in check. This often leads to many men feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed. The very emotions they should seek help for, they stuff down and “go it alone.” Bearing their emotional pain seems a better idea than opening themselves up to the stigma of seeking therapy.
For example, according to a recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey, the number of men who seek treatment for mental health issues is significantly lower than the number of women with the same mental health concerns.
There is no denying that mental health issues manifest differently in men than in women, resulting in many going completely ignored and untreated. Often men minimize or don’t recognize their own emotional pain. This results in them bottling up their emotions, which often leads to a manifestation of a physical disease or illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health issues and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me. There is no stigma in seeking help, only relief from the burdens you are currently carrying alone.
