Have you ever felt stressed, down or angry? These are all typical emotions. However, sometimes they can become overwhelming. Just like everyone else, men can experience mental health challenges too; but they can face more stigma around getting help. While women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, men are three times more likely to take their own life. Just because men don’t seek help for their mental health doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, but men need and deserve the attention on their mental health struggles and support all year long. 

Why don’t men talk about their mental health?

The idea of a strong man can be tied to the idea of someone who never feels down or has struggles. Strong men can be thought of as the strong foundation that can hold the weight of the world from work life, friendships, relationships and families. It’s not true that needing help makes men any less strong. This stereotype of ultimate strength can make men feel like they should be ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their mental health, feelings or emotions. It can also potentially be a reason they’re less likely to seek mental health treatment. However, admitting that they are struggling with their mental health and taking steps to get the help they need is actually a sign of great strength and bravery.

Breaking down the stigma

Stigma is a set of negative beliefs that can elicit feelings of shame or embarrassment. It’s the negative label that can surround mental health and keep people from openly talking about mental health challenges. By talking about mental health in a positive way, we can begin to chip away at this stigma and help pave the way to a more supportive world of seeking needed care. If you’re in an accident and end up with a deep cut or a broken bone, you would go to a doctor to get stitches or have your broken bone taken care of, right? Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. When you are struggling with your mental health, seeking help is a sign that you’re taking steps to take care of yourself. 

Ways to get the support you need 

There are many ways to get support to help boost your mental health:

• Seek professional help from a therapist.
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member.
• Discuss concerns with your doctor.
• Get involved with a men’s support group.

Some steps you can take to help break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health can be a huge barrier to those seeking help. You can take some steps to help break the silence and encourage open conversations by:

• Being open about your own emotional well-being to help normalize the idea of men experiencing emotions and seeking support
• Gently challenging stereotypes; explaining mental health is as important as physical health, and getting help is a sign of strength 
• Learning about your mental health condition or common mental health conditions and how they can affect men 
• Advocating for change by supporting organizations that are working to improve men’s mental health awareness and access to services 
• Being a supportive friend by reaching out, offering support, listening without judgment and encouraging him to seek help if needed 
• Creating an environment where you and your fellow men can get together and comfortably talk about mental health 
• Being patient and persistent and continuing to have conversations while social norms change over time 

These are just a few of the steps that can help break the stigma of men seeking mental health support. Together, we can create a world where men feel comfortable talking about their mental health and getting the support they need to help them prioritize their emotional well-being. 

How can therapy with Lightfully Behavioral Health help men’s mental health?

There are many different types that can be helpful for men’s mental health. At Lightfully, we use a unique approach in process-based therapy that we have pioneered. Process-based therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the four core processes that drive the symptoms associated with mental health conditions:

• Difficulty with emotions — Men can be taught to bottle up their emotions. A therapist can help you learn how to identify and understand how your emotions are affecting you.
• Difficulty with thoughts — Sometimes, negative thoughts can make feelings of stress or anxiety worse. Therapy can help you learn how to challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with healthier and more positive thoughts.
• Difficulty with behaviors — Coping mechanisms can be healthy ways to deal with stress and difficult emotions. Men are two to three times more likely to turn to risky behaviors as coping mechanisms to deal with mental health, such as substance use, gambling, unsafe sex and excessive drinking. Therapy can help men learn healthy coping mechanisms to replace unhealthy ones. Examples of healthy mechanisms include exercise, relaxation techniques or talking to a trusted friend. 
• Difficulty with relationships — Strong relationships are important for everyone’s mental health. Mental health conditions can make men feel isolated and frustrated. You may feel like you struggle to find happiness and fulfillment in your life. Those around you may see changes in your behavior, like increased irritability, withdrawal or decreased communication. These can all have significant impacts on your relationships. 

This approach allows us to provide whole-person-centered care with a fully personalized framework. Your compassionate and expert therapist will create a personalized treatment plan designed just for you that uses the most effective components of evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Compassion-based and somatic therapies can also be incorporated. 

We see you as a whole person, not just your struggles with your mental health. We can be your partner as you take strides to take control over your mental health and get back to your full potential. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.