Open Access News Mental Health Hidden battles: The unseen crisis of men’s mental health November 11, 2024 image: ©wombatzaa | iStock The prevalence of men’s mental health disorders is increasingly a subject of concern. The recent rise in the number of deaths by suicide in that same demographic tells us an alarming story and suggests that it impacts more men than we might think. Sandra Stein tells us more As a therapist, I experience this trend first-hand – with 75% of inquiries coming from men and 80% of my clients being male.
Despite this number, men still face psychological and cultural blocks in seeking help due to the perception of stoicism attached to being a man. Understanding the causes of male depression The presenting mental health struggles range from substance use disorder and anxiety to – more predominantly – depression. An array of reasons can cause depression for men, but data suggests that living circumstances and societal expectations play a big role in how men see themselves and value their identity.
Unemployment, relationship issues and being affected by serious illnesses are some of the common causes of depression disorder for male clients. Substantial life events, such as becoming a parent, can also make men vulnerable to depression; twenty-five per cent of dads experience mild depressive symptoms, and around 10-12% have a diagnosis of depression. (1) Much like postnatal depression in mothers, it often goes undiagnosed, and symptoms can be attri.