<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most existing studies and general interest content focus on identifying symptoms and treatment for the general population.&nbsp; However, both of those things are biased towards a gender neutral or a female society.&nbsp; Very little research exists for mental health and its symptoms as well as treatment specific to men.&nbsp; This leads to many problems when it comes to men&rsquo;s mental health.</p> <p><strong>What bias exists for men&rsquo;s mental health?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are two main biases for mental health and its prominence in our modern society.&nbsp; Both of these contribute to men having difficulty seeking help when needed.&nbsp; These are:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Measurement bias:</strong> With this kind of bias, there is very little scientific understanding of a man&rsquo;s experience relating to the mental health world.&nbsp; Without proper measurement and documentation, experts do not have the data needed to change approaches or meet needs in the future.</li> <li><strong>Clinician bias:</strong> There is also a documented bias in clinicians when it comes to being sympathetic to, and aware of, men&rsquo;s symptoms.&nbsp; When men show signs of distress with practitioners, many will overlook them or outwardly ignore them, looking stead for the same markers that women show.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Why do these biases exist?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both biases exist because men and women experience symptoms of mental health differently, as well as need different approaches to treatment.&nbsp; Symptom-wise, men often will show external ones (ex: substance abuse, aggression) as opposed to internal ones that are often documented and reported by women.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Since men are expected, according to gender roles, to be more prone to substance abuse and aggression when they are members of the social community, these important symptoms are seen as &ldquo;normal&rdquo; instead of signs that a man is struggling and needs support, even when reported as such to a clinician.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Without proper diagnosis by practitioners, as well-intentioned as they might be, there is no data recorded on men&rsquo;s symptomology in mental health, leading to a lack of education specific to men&rsquo;s health.&nbsp; It is a vicious cycle that leaves men out of proper diagnosis and treatment.</p> <p><strong>What problems does this create for men&rsquo;s mental health treatment?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most men find that their symptoms are ignored and the same goes for their cries of help.&nbsp; This leads to an entire major part of the population left to struggle on their own with very little data on how to even deal with mental health on a daily basis.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There is also a lot of shame attributed to men struggling with mental health, further complicating an already serious problem in society.&nbsp; Ignored by both professionals and their peers, men often find themselves entirely on their own when struggling with serious, diagnosable mental health disorders and conditions.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In order to ensure that men have proper diagnosis and treatment for mental health conditions, there needs to be more of a focus on gathering data as far as symptomatology and treatment needs are concerned.&nbsp; While there is plenty out there on men and women together, or a more gender-neutral one, there is not much out there with a primary, sole focus on men.</p>