<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With there being a bias in mental health, specifically to recognizing women in crisis more-so than men, interest turns to the concept of how to address that for the right kinds of results in both diagnosing and offering treatment for men.</p> <p><strong>An understanding of its roots</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Men struggle with mental health for many of the same reasons than women do.&nbsp; Some of the leaders, particularly with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Genetics:</strong> Just like any other physical illness or predisposition, men can be as predisposed to depression, anxiety, psychosis, and schizophrenia.&nbsp; By having a proper medical history with that information included, it means that many can know what they should be watching for -- and specialists, too.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Work and life stress/triggers:</strong> Work, family, and general life can weigh down men as much as women, yet there are few supports in place for it.&nbsp; Men do not often get access to stress leave or even counselling or other standard options within the workplace, for example.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Ignorance/isolation: </strong>Even when men report symptoms or struggles to those around them, personally or professionally, they often will not be heard, leaving them to isolate themselves and keep any future struggles (or ongoing ones) to themselves.&nbsp; This includes discussion with fellow men about what they feel, too.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Why symptoms are external</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Men show many of the same symptoms as women do when it comes to the concept of the first ones.&nbsp; For instance, many men will have outbursts, withdraw from society or family, and more. Where these symptoms would be flagged if it were a woman struggling with them, with men, it is often brushed off as him having a bad day, etc.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Similarly, men themselves can sometimes see all other symptoms as simply reactions to current goings-on rather than something more serious.&nbsp; They often will turn to self-medicating options, including gambling, drinking, etc.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If or when they seek help from specialists, they often will not admit to self-medicating, either, leading many specialists to look at something more physical for a diagnosis instead of emotional.</p> <p><strong>How the industry needs to change</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Since men do not feel as comfortable being honest about emotional or physical reactions that they have had related to mental health or feeling as though they are &ldquo;allowed&rdquo; to struggle, it means that the industry itself does not look for it.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To help change things for the better, the industry needs to openly encourage (and back up) support for men who choose to be honest about their symptoms.&nbsp; From the ground up, the entire mental health industry can change things in favor of men, but support is going to be the first and all-important step.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Men struggle with mental health as much as women do, and often without the proper support and diagnosis.&nbsp; By bringing attention to what it looks like, and where it comes from (just as there is as much information, and discussion) about the same with women, the hope is that men&rsquo;s mental health can get the same kind of exposure and recognition, easing the strain that many feel.</p> <p>Sources</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/">https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/</a></li> </ul>