- By Prerna Targhotra
- Tue, 19 Nov 2024 05:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
International Men's Day 2024: Mental health is a universal human right. But not many people understand what mental health even means. For our physical health, we keep ourselves aware, whether it is going to doctors to understand what’s happening to us or getting tests done to check various blood parameters. Not many of us realise that just like any other organ in the body, even the brain and the processes of the brain can become unwell and need a check from time to time. Moreover, our society looks at mental health issues as a weakness of character or personality. Not being able to handle our stresses is considered a sign of weakness and we are expected to manage our stresses all by ourselves.
Dr Mantosh Kumar, Senior Consultant, Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said that it gets tougher for men as the same society expects men to be stronger hence any conversation about the mental health of men never takes place. Let’s try and understand this with a different example. If a road traffic accident happens where both men and women are injured, will we as a society take only women to the hospital for treatment and leave the men behind saying that they are not hurt and that there is no need to even talk about it!! That’s not the case.
Then why do we discriminate against men when it comes to mental health issues? Mental health issues can happen to anybody, even men do suffer from mental health issues. They also experience anxiety, depression, mood disorders and other disorders that need treatment either from a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
Ways For Men To Express Themselves And Tackle Stress (Image Credits: Canva)
To recognise by men that even a man can suffer from mental health issues is primary. Because then they will come forward without any hesitation to ask for help. Or help other members of the family and circle of friends to seek help. Expressing about the stressors or difficulties in life, about recent changes in their mental state can all be the initial help that most people require. Most people will not need anything beyond this.
A safe place to open up about feelings and thoughts bothering them. But when the issues don’t get better even after sharing them, then one should consider meeting a mental health professional and seeking the necessary help, whether it is talk therapy or in some cases medication or a combination of both. Other ways men can prevent or keep a check on their mental health is by maintaining good sleep hygiene, exercising daily and eating a proper well-balanced diet. Not indulging in substances will also help maintain good mental health. Keeping a good social circle and indulging in a hobby from time to time provides a respite hence preventing a mental health issue.