When discussing men's mental health, there's a tendency to default to the belief that traditional masculinity is an obstacle to open communication about emotional issues, perpetuating stereotypes such as 'men don't cry', and that men are naturally reticent and avoidant.
Often, conversations around men's mental health criticise them for adhering to masculine norms, implying that these norms are the root cause of men's reluctance to seek help. This viewpoint carries an undertone of resignation, suggesting that little can change because 'men will be men'.
Despite growing awareness and reduced stigma surrounding mental health, men still often show resistance to seeking help. This topic was explored in our discussion, "Why do men not seek help?".
However, mental health professionals, through research and experience, have noted that men may experience and express psychological distress, like depression, differently than women. Additionally, it can be challenging for men and those close to them to recognise the signs of such distress.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has published a guide outlining key symptoms or indicators of depression in men, including:
Risk-taking - Anger - Isolation - Substance abuse - Exhaustion.
Addressing these issues is difficult; these behaviours are often uncomfortable to acknowledge in ourselves and challenging to handle in others. The guide offers advice on recognising these signs in oneself or men close to us and tips for self-care and supporting others.
Please follow the link for more detailed guidance and access to the full guide..guide.https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/information-about-counselling/raise-spotting-signs-of-depression-in-men/
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