◄ Go back
Carlo Minetis
09/30/2022

Share:

Why young men neglect their Mental Health Care When They Have Mental Health Symptoms

It is well known that men generally lag behind women in terms of self-care. However, bettering one's own self-care can result in better mental wellbeing. Despite how ebullient we may seem, young guys often have valid reasons for avoiding getting mental health care. I'm hoping I may persuade you to give up these reasons and actively take charge of your mental health in the best possible manner.

We Don’t Want to Ask for Help

To be in a position to beg for assistance is to admit one's own frailty. If we are weak, how can we be strong? It's unfortunate that the message of strength that so many men are instilled with and try to live by conflicts with the need for assistance, admitting one is having emotional troubles, or needing to rely on someone else. We feel compelled to persevere through our emotional struggles because to do differently would be to give up.

A fundamental gender issue that affects men everywhere is the tendency to view asking for help and being vulnerable as signs of weakness. This tendency presents itself in a variety of unpleasant and, in some cases, downright toxic ways. The wisest generals acknowledge the flaws in their armies and spend months identifying weak points. They take action to address those weaknesses. If men understood that fragility, including mental vulnerability, is a characteristic of the human condition and has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with health, then healing would be most likely to occur.

Having Responsibilities

Adults have obligations. Many men, especially those who are aware of how important their income is to their family's well-being, cite their obligations and employment as justifications for neglecting their mental health problems. If they seek treatment for a severe mental illness or an addiction that is somehow connected to their mental health issues, they worry that they won't be able to support their family or fulfill their duties.

Men and women fear being unable to care for their families. However, just as a physical health problem can stop a person in their tracks, so, too, can a mental health crisis. Both physical and mental health problems are normal to an extent; the human brain and body get sick sometimes. When they do, we have to deal with these issues so they don’t become worse and prevent us from doing exactly what we want to do: provide for our families. It’s better to tackle a mental health issue by seeking help sooner rather than later.

“I Wouldn’t Know What to Say”

Men avoid seeing a mental health professional for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they lack the confidence to discuss their issues and are uncomfortable with the concept of doing so. They don't feel comfortable talking about these things with a stranger, even if that stranger is a mental health specialist, since they don't have a "history" of doing so.

What these men should remember is that mental health care providers train for years. They spend considerable time learning how to obtain the information they need in order to effectively treat their patients—even male patients! A psychiatrist or psychologist can manage the conversation; just answer their questions honestly and the proper care will be forthcoming.

… And Finally “We’ve Got It Under Control”

We frequently tell ourselves that we are in control of our situations. Asking for assistance is unnecessary because we are "managing" it. We may react to it occasionally by having severe temper tantrums. Sometimes we'll just have a few beers every night or a few drinks throughout the day to get through it. Hard substances like cocaine or narcotics are sometimes used to cope with it

Do you want to read more posts like this?

One comment

If you’d like to be the first, please login and click on comments.