Mental health in focus during Men’s Health Month
'It often starts at home, when parents feel the need to redirect their children – and boys in particular – from showing emotion'
Mental health experts say the historical norm of encouraging men to suppress their feelings and act strong, has had a destructive impact on the male population.
According to a report by the World Health Organisation, South African men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women.
‘This should indicate far higher rates of depression among men in South Africa, and yet we see significantly more women seeking help for depression,’ said Loyiso Maqubela, a clinical psychologist at Akeso Milnerton, a private mental health facility in Cape Town.
Silenced from the roots
Alexander Oosthuysen, a clinical psychologist at Akeso Parktown in Johannesburg, points out that from a young age, boys are told not to show their feelings.
‘For example, someone might say ‘take it like a man’ or ‘man up’ when advising another not to express natural feelings of discomfort.
Likewise, men will often support one another by suggesting a night out at a bar instead of a conversation about an issue at hand.
‘It often starts at home, when parents feel the need to redirect their children – and boys in particular – from showing emotion. ‘This sends a message that there is shame in certain feelings, when in fact there is power in being able to name emotions and to face difficult experiences head-on.
‘It is also important to be mindful of what we portray to young people and how this can affect their view of themselves in the world,’ said Oosthuysen.
According to the experts, there are certain warning signs that tend to present in people experiencing mental health issues, such as:
* An inability to function normally on a daily basis
* Decreased self-care
* A change in relationships
* Dramatic changes in sleep patterns
* Unintentional changes in eating patterns
* An increase in risky behaviour * An increase in apathy
* Being emotionally ‘dysregulated’ – an emotional state or response that is not normal for the individual and would be considered deeply worrying.
With June being Men’s Health Month, Maqubela encouraged concerned loved ones to take a supportive stance rather than trying to take over.
‘It may be good to start by saying something like, ‘I am concerned and I’d like to know how I could support you at this time’.
‘If the individual responds positively, then you could suggest professional help and research a selection of mental health experts who are male, as many men prefer talking to a male therapist.’
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