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Let’s Bring Awareness to Men’s Mental Health

man struggling and stressed out

Good mental health is important for everyone, irrespective of gender. While we see lots of awareness on social media regarding mental health, we also often see men’s mental health swept under the rug.

There are many parts of the world where talking about men’s mental health is still considered taboo, mainly because men are considered mentally more stable than women and are expected to bear it all. Even though women are more prone to mental health issues, they are becoming common among men as well. This article is targeted at bringing awareness to men’s mental health. Let’s dig deeper into the topic.

Mental Health Awareness

A person who is unaware of his own self is aware of nothing. We deal with a number of emotions on a daily basis like anger, happiness, confusion, and sadness. Knowing these emotions better can help you filter them in a better way. Having a clear idea of how these emotions work is important to enjoy good mental health.

PTSD mens mental health concept, Psychologist sitting and touch hand man for encouragement
Having a Clear Idea of How Emotions Work is Important to Enjoy Good Mental Health (Image Source: Shutterstock)

With the advent of technology, the world is moving ahead at a fast pace. But all of this success has given rise to anxiety, confusion, and many other mental concerns. We are all getting so involved in making money or achieving a certain status or meeting the standards of society that we have forgotten how to relax back and just be us. Today, every other person is depressed and anxious. Therefore, mental health awareness has become the need of the hour.

Though people have slowly started accepting mental health as a real thing, there is still much stigma around the topic. So, on an individual level, you have to first accept the fact that your mental health is as important as your physical health, if not more. Be kind toward yourself and others. Practice boundaries as much as you can. Learn to be more considerate of other people’s emotions. Take care of your body. Eat healthily, and exercise every day. Practice a positive attitude toward life, and value yourself. And the most important thing is to read about mental health to deal with your emotions in a healthy way.

You must realize that mental issues are not just restricted to a particular age or gender. Anyone, male or female, adult or kid, can suffer from these concerns. In fact, teen depression is increasing day by day. Hence, psychologists recommend mental health care from an early age to avoid such issues in your teens.

Men’s Mental Health

It is commonly observed that mental health issues are usually ignored when it comes to men. Often, we may think of women as more emotional, but men experience the same feelings. In fact, men are highly prone to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorders, and other mental health diseases.

Men are generally considered the main bread earners of the family in many countries. They have many responsibilities to meet, like balancing their family’s finances, maintaining social as well as personal relations, taking care of the family, etc. Consequently, it is normal for them to feel burdened at times.

The main reason why men’s mental health is ignored is the difference in symptoms of the issues in men and women. Men, when mentally disturbed, are more likely to undergo substance abuse, antisocial personality disorder, and hot or cold behavior. There are many causes that can lead to such behavior as relationship problems, financial burdens, disturbing life changes, societal pressure to meet a certain standard of living, etc. Some physical problems can also result in mental problems.

If you are a man who is experiencing such issues, it is important that you seek help from a therapist or psychologist. Share your concern with someone you trust. Learn how to manage stressful situations by adding exercise and meditation to your daily routine. Spend quality time with friends and family. Eat healthily and indulge in positive activities often.

If you are a woman, it is important that you keep a check on the mental health of men in your life. They won’t explicitly talk about it. You will have to be more kind and understanding. Men’s mental health is slightly different from yours; learn about it, and act accordingly. But do not forget to care for your own health too. Mental health awareness is important for both men and women.

If you know someone who is battling depression, here is a short YouTube video outlining seven things you can say to make them feel a little better.

7 Things to Say to Someone With Depression │ Psych2Go

Benefits of Eating Healthy

It is right to say that what you eat shows on your body, and your brain is a major part of your body. A healthy diet ensures a healthy brain, and hence, a stable mental health. Your environment and circumstances do play a part, but if you don’t eat healthy, you are going to be distributed both physically and mentally. So a well-balanced diet should be of prime importance in your life. This observational study review shows that depression is seen more in persons with poor diets.

man's hands cut tomato on the board for a vegetarian salad
Eating Healthy Comes With Numerous Benefits (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Nutrition and mental health have long been connected. It is often seen that people who enjoy food and have a healthy eating routine enjoy better mental health. There are many foods and diet plans that are bound to increase your mental stamina. Some foods recommended by nutritionists to enjoy mental peace are as follows:

  • Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, eggs, nuts, especially walnuts, etc. come under this category.
  • Whole grains like oatmeal, wheat, legumes, etc.
  • Green vegetables. Spinach, kale, broccoli, and green chili are some important ones.
  • Dark chocolate.
  • Olive oil.
  • Herbal teas like chamomile tea, peppermint tea, and green tea.

In contrast to the above foods, there are certain foods that are bad for your mental health. They include processed and packaged foods, junk food, fried food, and food high in sugar content. Try your best to avoid these foods as they have long-term side effects on your body.

Eating healthy comes with numerous benefits. You will have lesser mood swings and will be able to deal with stress effectively. Your physical health also majorly depends on what you eat. So take care of your body and make sure you’re getting all the right nutrients.

Conclusion

Taking care of mental health and practicing the right attitude for its betterment is not just for women. It is vital for men also. Men should also be encouraged to be open about their issues so they can get the right kind of therapy and not just keep looking blindly for a space to vent. They should be assured that talking about such concerns is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a brave move to speak openly about what you feel, because it is when you value yourself that others value you too.