Mental Health: Creating safe spaces for men to talk about their challenges

As discussed in previous articles, mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a meaningful contribution to their community.

Men are less likely to seek mental health or counselling services and studies show that men are much less likely to share their emotional challenges with anyone compared to women.

Bottling up emotions can lead to physical and mental health challenges and strained relationships. 

Why do men struggle to talk about emotional challenges?

Men may struggle to talk about their challenges due to psychological, social and cultural factors including:

1. Socialisation: Young boys are often brought up to be tough and ‘not to cry’. This approach to life will often continue into adulthood and can be a barrier to being able to talk about emotional challenges
2. Traditional social norms about masculinity: Men are often expected to be stoic, strong problem solvers which can make it difficult for men to be vulnerable if they are feeling overwhelmed or troubled or if they actually do not know what to do about a particular challenge
3. Stigma and shame: Men may often get shamed or denigrated if they are deemed as too emotional, this can create a barrier to sharing about challenges
4. Fear of vulnerability: Emotional vulnerability is difficult and requires some courage to be able to overcome inherent fears
5. Poor emotional awareness and limited emotional language: Some men may struggle to identify emotional effects of stress or may struggle to articulate what they are experiencing
6. Poor support networks: Unlike women, men may not have many people around them to turn to when emotionally distressed and this limits opportunities for men to share their difficulties
7. Lack of appropriate role models: Men may not have many men who model how to appropriately share and cope with emotional challenges in a healthy way

The benefits of opening up about emotional problems

• Mental health must be a priority at our workplaces
• ‘Art therapy critical in combating mental disorders’
• Be ethical, Potraz tells content creators
• How HR can effectively handle employee depression

There are many physical, emotional and interpersonal benefits to being able to share one’s emotional challenges. When you are able to talk about challenges you are facing, you will be less stressed, this lowers risk of stress related physical health challenges like insomnia, cardiovascular diseases and poor immunity.

Talking about challenges is cathartic and can be part of stress coping mechanisms, this lowers the risk of mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.

Talking and sharing are also a key part of relationship building, being able to be emotionally vulnerable helps one give and receive emotional support as part of an effective support system.

How do we create safe spaces for men to talk about their challenges?

1. Include mental health and emotional health as part of foundational education to improve men’s emotional literacy
2. Address unhealthy stereotypes that may become barriers to men seeking emotional support
3. Tailor mental health services to suit communication styles for men
4. Encourage support groups for men
5. Create awareness about men’s mental health challenges and when and where to seek for help

If you think that you or a man that you know may be experiencing a mental health problem, please contact your nearest health care provider and get help.

• Dr Chido Rwafa Madzvamutse is a consultant psychiatrist. This article reflects her own views. Feedback: +263777727332