Common Men's Mental Health Issues - Early Warning Signs, Overcoming the Stigma, and Getting Help
Ariel Dumais, MCP, Registered Clinical Counsellor in Chilliwack, BC
I have worked as a Mental Health & Substance Use Clinician throughout the Fraser East Region including working in Abbotsford Regional, Mission Memorial and Chilliwack General Hospitals. I have witnessed firsthand how issues affecting men that go untreated can lead to serious mental and physical health problems. Before reaching a critical level, there are earlier warning signs and significant impacts on home life, work, mood, and confidence.
Men have been socialized to be strong, independent, and unemotional. While these traits can be valuable in some situations, they also prevent men from seeking help when they need it, causing men to stick it out longer and tough it out, and mask what they’re really experiencing inside - sometimes even from themselves. This makes it much more difficult to come back from by the time it can’t be hidden anymore. Men's mental health issues are often overlooked and dismissed, leading to negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most common men's issues and provide advice on how to seek help.
What are the warning signs of untreated depression, anxiety, or trauma in men?
Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health issues that affect men. Men might not label what they’re experiencing as depression and anxiety right away though. The same goes for a single incident or developmental trauma (for example: having a narcissistic or abusive, hyper-critical, absent or neglectful parent, etc). Mental health early warning signs often show up in:
Lower self-concept, diminishing confidence, never feeling good enough
Armouring against or masking how you really feel
Increased irritability and angry outbursts
Feeling pressurized, edge much of the time, less tolerance than usual
More time spent in process addictions like sex/porn use, shopping, gambling, gaming, and scrolling
Increased attempts at finding pleasure or distraction through temporary means like alcohol consumption or drug use
Strained relationships
Workaholism or burnout
Purposelessness and feeling aimless
Chronic pain
Sexual dysfunction
Low motivation to achieve your goals
Unfortunately, men are less likely than women to seek professional help when they experience these conditions. Men may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their feelings, or they may believe that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
The truth is that depression, anxiety, and trauma are legitimate conditions whose symptoms can be improved or resolved with proper treatment. If you're experiencing symptoms like persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, difficulty sleeping, racing thoughts, or any of the above-bulleted signs it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. Taking care of your mental health is a significant step towards leading a more fulfilling life, and seeking help should be encouraged without any shame or stigma.
Amongst male youth and men, substance misuse is often comorbid with depression, anxiety, or trauma
Substance misuse is another common men's issue that often goes untreated. Men are more likely than women to engage in risky behaviours like binge drinking and drug use, which can lead to addiction and other negative consequences. Substance misuse can affect all areas of a person's life, from work and relationships to physical health and mental well-being. Counselling is an essential service that aims to support young men in navigating the unique challenges they face. Many young men struggle with issues that can be compounded by societal expectations of masculinity, which often discourage young men from seeking help or expressing vulnerability. Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for men young and old to explore how they feel, learn coping strategies, and develop resilience. By addressing mental health concerns early on, male youth can improve their overall well-being and increase their chances of leading fulfilling and productive lives.
If you're struggling with substance misuse, it's important to seek help. There are many effective treatments for substance misuse, including individual counselling, medication, and support groups. Seeking help can allow you to regain control of your life and overcome the consequences associated with addiction.
I have worked as a Substance Use Clinician in both inpatient and outpatient settings including treatment centres, recovery houses and Regional hospitals and I feel fortunate to have helped many men navigate the recovery landscape. One-on-one counselling can greatly benefit men who want to explore their relationship with using substances and maintain motivation and momentum to improve their lives.
Your primary relationships are often where the internalized early warning signs become visible
Living with the early warning signs for a length of time decreases a person’s window of tolerance and it becomes harder to manage, causing many men to double down on trying to contain rather than express how they’re doing. Relationship issues (at home, with friends/extended family, at work) are often the intersection at which internalized, masked issues meet the outside world for men. When how you’re feeling reaches a critical mass inside, it becomes much harder to contain and bubbles over into your primary relationships. If your window of tolerance is decreased, it becomes that much harder to have healthy communication, intimacy, and emotional expression in relationships, which can lead to conflict and dissatisfaction. Men may also feel pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations, which can limit their ability to express themselves and connect with their partners.
If you're struggling with relationship issues, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional or couples therapist. Therapy can help you develop better communication skills, understand your partner's needs and feelings, and work through conflicts in a healthy way. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and a willingness to improve your relationships and overall well-being.
So what can you do?
Men's issues are real and can have serious consequences for individuals and society. However, by overcoming the stigma associated with seeking help and accessing the resources available, men can improve their mental health and overall quality of life. If you're struggling with any of these issues or others, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Remember, you're not alone, and there is hope for a better future. Individual one-on-one counselling can be a key component for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health issues.
Resources:
If you are facing an immediate crisis and/or emergency please phone emergency services 911. If you are struggling and need support, you can reach out to the following helplines: Crisis Line: 1-877-820-7444. Culturally Sensitive Crisis Line for Indigenous Peoples: 1-800-588-8717.
For additional resources for Substance Use Services, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Services line: 1-800-663-1441.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by calling: 1-800-799-7233.
The Kids Help Phone line can be reached by calling: 1-800-668-6868.
Individual/Couples Counselling at Vitality Collective in Chilliwack or Online: https://vitalitycollective.ca/chilliwack-counselling
References:
https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/children-and-youth/
Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan: A Scoping Review - PMC (nih.gov)
Teaching Men to Be Emotionally Honest - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Therapy for Men (goodtherapy.org)