It’s no secret that there is a big stigma affecting mental health in this country, but that problem can be even bigger for men.

Since June is Men’s Health Month, it’s time to learn more about men’s mental health.

Let’s go over important information about men and mental health in the United States.

Fact or Fiction: Men’s Mental Health

There are a lot of myths out there about mental health problems in men, and knowing the facts can be empowering.

Here are some facts about men’s mental health that may surprise you.

Male Depression Often Goes Undiagnosed

Depression in men is often not diagnosed for a variety of reasons including denial, refusal of treatment, downplaying the problem, and not knowing what depression looks like in men.

Male depression looks similar to depression in women in terms of feeling withdrawn, isolating, fatigue, hopelessness, or not getting pleasure from activities you used to love.

It also has other symptoms, however, that are not as well known. These include:

• Inappropriate anger or irritability
• Risky behavior
• Escapist behavior (spending a lot of time away from home or work)
• Physical symptoms
• Substance use problems

Men Can Develop Eating Disorders Too

Eating disorders will affect around 10 million men in the United States, but there is a lot of bias and stigma surrounding these conditions that deter some men from getting treatment.

It may seem difficult for men to get help for something that they believe is a “woman-only” problem, so some men may not even realize what they are doing could be signs of a disorder.

Even the statistics on how many men are diagnosed with eating disorders are skewed because so few men come forward to get help.

More Men Die by Suicide Than Women

Male suicides represent about 79% of all US suicides.

Part of the problem is that because men feel discouraged or deterred from seeking treatment for other mental health problems, such as depression, so it can continue to get worse.

Some individuals have more risk factors than others and this can impact both overall quality of life and mental health.

Alcohol Dependency in Men

Men are more likely to die from alcohol-related deaths than women.

They are also more likely to develop alcohol use disorder. Part of the concern is that men may turn to substances like alcohol to deal with mental health struggles they face because they might feel ashamed to seek professional help.

While occasional drinking is not necessarily a concern, if alcohol starts to interfere with your quality of life or relationships, there could be a problem.

Are You Looking for Help?

While the stigma with men’s mental health is still there, it is getting better.

Getting help when you’re ready shows that you are brave and ready to tackle your problems head-on. Don’t do it alone.

If you’re looking for help and want to receive counseling services, contact us today to see what we can do for you.