Kylie Krantz | Staff Writer
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, so why do men neglect it? No matter what society tells you, men’s mental health is important.
Everyone wants to talk about looking after their mental health, but for too long men have been left out of that conversation.
One of the main reasons men’s mental health isn’t taken seriously is societal expectations of how men should behave and a lack of information about mental health resources for men.
When describing men’s failure to take care of themselves mentally, the derivative phrase “men will do anything but go to therapy” comes to mind.
Men are expected to be the breadwinners while keeping their emotions under lock and key. They’re told to hold on and handle it themselves, but the reality is, no one can bear the weight of emotion with that attitude.
Men are not robots who can hide their feelings to maintain their masculinity. Men are capable of feeling human emotions that are hard for anyone to handle.
In other words, going to therapy and prioritizing your mental health doesn’t make you less of a man.
It is not a sign of weakness, but a benefit to creating a better life for yourself, your friends, your family and your loved ones.
These societal expectations need to be eradicated so that men can freely express their inner conflicts and confess some of the suffering they have faced.
There is also a lack of awareness that mental health services for men exist. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a great annual reminder that men’s mental health should be taken seriously.
The bias is very clear that women are more likely to use mental health resources than men because fewer people believe that men have a wider range of emotions.
If men don’t know about resources like those found in counselling and psychological services, how will they access them?
Waiting until the last minute to address mental health issues is a recipe for disaster.
Fortunately, there are services like the Men’s Engagement Center that can help students who identify as male better understand their gender identity and some of the ways to protect their mental health.
There’s no shame in getting therapy. Every man should focus on his mental health this month and every month to come. It will be a lifesaver that he won’t regret.
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from the editorial and reflect the personal perspectives of contributors and members of the University community.
