Prakriti Poddar, Global Head of Mental Health at Round Glass, MD at the Poddar Foundation agrees, “Men are struggling more to accept that they have a mental health issue and need help. The complex gender dynamics, particularly stereotypes, of our society force them to consider seeking help for better mental health as opposed to the idea of being strong and unsuitable for a provider role. . It is estimated that nearly 250 Indian men died by suicide every day in 2018, a number that is more than double the number of women. ”
According to an ETimes lifestyle account, 39 percent of men feel that men do not feel comfortable talking about mental health issues. Out of all participants, nearly 40 per cent of people said they don’t talk about it often because ‘they don’t want to appear weak and vulnerable’.
Interestingly, 52 per cent of people feel that men are most affected by financial issues, followed by work, relationships and just 5 per cent who chose ‘health’. Prakriti said, “Marriage usually boosts mental health – it provides a partner and a friend that reduces the chances of depression. However, these marital acts can be disturbed by marital conflict, divorce and the death of a spouse. With changing social norms and the reversal of traditional family roles, men ‘s and women’ s expectations of marriage are changing rapidly. Many men find it difficult to accept these changes, and it is more difficult for those who are harassed by their wife and relatives – they fear social stigma and are not at rest, either at home or out. ”
The best way, and the greatest challenge, is to accept the truth and not escape it. There is no ‘male’ mental health setting or treatment per se, but some symptoms such as irritability, risk-taking, increased control, sudden anger, and aggression, are more common in men than women. They are also more likely to opt for substance and alcohol abuse that may require disinfection treatment.
Psychologists also want people to know that alcohol dependence in men is less common about self-discipline and more about a mental health issue such as depression. When family and friends tend to weaken the importance of taking mental health illness, it is difficult for people to talk and suffer in silence – leading to abuse, aggression and a terrible feeling of sadness.