6 Things I Wish that You Know About Men's Mental Illness

It has been almost 2 months since the inception of this idea to work on mental health for our assignment, specifically young men’s mental health. Over this period, we have had the chance to sift through heaps of material, talk to experts in the field, and trawl through the Internet for relevant information to build up our site. Through it all, I have come to learn more about men’s mental health. While some facts and figures are just downright stunning, it was the number of misconceptions that was overwhelming toward mental illness in men. Whether you are a random reader who ventured here accidentally, or someone who is trying to help another guy out there, or you think you have a mental illness and need reason to seek help, here are some things I have learnt and wish for you to know.

1. Mental Illness Itself Is NOT A Myth

It is a medical malady. It is no less than the common sniffles that you catch or diabetes. It is as real as cancer and it is much more common then you think. It can strike anyone, the young, the old, the female or THE MALE.

2. Mental Illness DOES Occur In Men.

Perhaps it’s how we are brought up, or perhaps it’s just how media has been portraying male figures. 

Sexual stereotyping is everywhere. While we were growing up we have unknowingly learnt from family and friends what it means to be a man.  These ideas about approved behaviors and modes of thought are focused and supported by media messages. Men both young and old are expected to display traits such as independence, bravery, rationality, strength and efficacy Men are always expected to be the knight in shining armor, who is always there to save the day. As such, many of us are led to believe that men are strong and resilient and hence the possibility of mental illness in men is a foreign concept. Because of this, men themselves can struggle to acknowledge and vocalize that they have a real mental condition that requires professional help. This is because such an acknowledgement is commonly perceived as unmanly.

But you know what. Men DO suffer from mental illness. It is much more common then you think. In Australia, 1 in 5 men suffer from a mental illness each year [1]. While in America, over 6 million (7% of the population) are diagnosed with depression annually [2]. Even our Asia counterparts are not spared. In Singapore, the Singapore Mental Health Study showed that about 6% of Singaporeans have at least one episode of clinically significant depression in their lifetime. The combined lifetime prevalence of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was 3.6%. OCD is more common than GAD (0.9% and 3.0% respectively) [3].

3. People with Mental Illness Are NOT Violent. Not Everyone With A Mental Illness Is Going To Shoot Up A Movie Theater Or A School.

When people first hear about someone else who is diagnosed with mental illness, all they can picture is someone who has maniac behaviour, is extremely violent, and swears and curses at everything or anything.

BUT.

People with a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than the rest of the population. People with a mental illness are more likely to harm themselves – or to be harmed – than they are to hurt other people.  The harmful behaviour is elicited in people who have either gone untreated or have stopped taking their medications.  And generally these are the extreme forms of mental illness.

4. If I Admit That I Have A Mental Illness, I Will NOT End Up In A Mental Hospital For A Very Long Time.

Often when people hear of diagnosis of mental illness, all they picture are straitjackets, cushion lined asylums and crazy medication regiments.  Men who suffer from mental illness start to think, is that who I really am? Is that where I want to end up?

Really, admitting and seeking help for mental illness does not identify a person as crazy. It does not secure you a one way ticket to your nearest friendly mental asylum. Mental illness is not a character flaw. It is affected by genetic, biological, social and environmental factors. With the right therapy or medication, one can recover from mental illness. Admission to mental asylum is only for the extreme cases.

5. You Say You Can Handle Your Own Mental Health Problem. But You’re Not Weak If You Can’t Handle it Alone.

We are all taught and made aware at one point or another about mental health. May it be in school, via the media, in the workplace, over the internet or even written within trash magazines. We all know that if we have a mental health problem, we turn to coping mechanisms such as exercising, eating, working harder, etc. to take care of the problem. As such, many people do not seek treatment for it.

However, sometimes these coping mechanisms may not be enough especially if your mental illness becomes overwhelming and begins to take over your daily activities. It is important to recognize that perhaps you need help. This DOES NOT meant that you are weak! This just means that you realize and accept your human and natural limitations.

For example, say you've sprained your ankle in a football game. So you ice and rest it when you get home (coping). However it is still sore after a week. You may consult with a friend or family member for their opinion about what to do (more coping). Eventually, you're convinced it may be worse than you thought and go to see your doctor. He looks at it and takes a few X-rays. He tells you that you're lucky you came in when you did because indeed it was worse than a sprain -- it was a hairline fracture which could have been made worse if not placed in a cast.

Same analogy goes for mental illness. Seeking help makes you strong not weak. Like a sprain, you will come out stronger with the right help.

6. I Can’t Help My Friend/Partner/Brother/Son Without Making Things Worst Then It Already Is.

It can be frustrating and frightening when it comes to helping that important man in your life deal with his mental illness. It’s like walking on eggshells; you tend to be over cautious to be sensitive to their feelings. But with the right treatment, and support it can be cured.

Men tend to view partners and friends as primary health sources. You are their first go-to-person if they have a problem. Perhaps they may not vocalize it to you. But recognizing signs and symptoms and offering more concern is the first step. Even if you don’t know how to help them yourself, a very good first step is to point them in the direction of someone who knows how to (e.g. your GP, school counsellor, helplines etc. Refer to here on where to seek help).

It sucks to watch someone you love spiral down the drain. Offer them your help, point them to the right place.

References:

[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS: Canberra.

[2] Men’s Health – Mental Health [Internet].  2014 [cited 2014 Apr 04]. Available from: http://us.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health
[3] Lim B.L. Men’s Mental Health [Internet] 2012. [cited 2014 Apr 04]. Available from: http://www.psywellness.com.sg/men-mentalhealth.html