Reframing Masculinity: Redefining Strength in the Context of Mental Health for Men

Men are significantly less likely than women to seek treatment for mental health issues. According to Mental Health America, social norms and reluctance to discuss feelings contribute to this. A National Health Interview Survey found only 1 in 3 men took medication for depression or anxiety, and just 1 in 4 spoke to a mental health professional. The World Health Organization reports over 264 million people suffer from depression globally, with men less likely to seek help. In the U.S., men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women, underscoring the crisis in men's mental health.

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health is exacerbated by societal expectations that discourage vulnerability and seeking help, often leading to untreated conditions and tragic outcomes. Traditional views of masculinity emphasize self-reliance, emotional control, and physical toughness, discouraging men from expressing vulnerability. Fear of judgment and embarrassment prevents 28% of men from seeking help, leading to underreporting symptoms and delayed treatment. This reluctance contributes to higher suicide rates, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Barriers such as lack of education, financial constraints, and limited male-specific services further hinder access to care. Addressing these issues requires challenging cultural norms, promoting mental health education, and improving access to targeted mental health services for men.

We conducted a survey on the same and 82.6% males participated in the same. From our survey it is seen that 71.8% of participants were uncomfortable discussing their mental health and 67.4% of men have not sought professional help for mental health issues. 89.1% of the participants feel that yes the societal expectations and the traditional defined roles of men have hampered the decision of seeking professional help. It was further seen that the participants feel that traits like suppressing emotions 67.4%, physical strength 56.5%, self reliance 58.7%, financial success 54.3%, leadership/ambition 41.3% and aggressiveness 28.3% are given a huge weightage in depicting traditional masculinity. A significant portion of respondents believe key traits should be included in the redefined version of masculinity: 69.6% advocate for empathy, 63% for emotional expressiveness and self-care, 58.7% for humility and vulnerability, and 32.6% for resilience.

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At United We Care, we strive to make the world a happier place by providing life-changing support and interventions in the mental health care realm. We are a deep tech Generative AI company with a human touch. Our mission is to make mental health and wellness affordable, accessible and adaptable for all. Through our Al-driven, deep-tech platform, we offer safe, secure and inclusive professional guidance right from the comfort of your home. Our array of mainstream and alternative therapies is designed to bring positive change to thousands of lives globally, empowering you to overcome emotional challenges and enhance your mental wellness.