As Suicide Prevention Month spotlights mental health crises, experts reveal how targeted support and community awareness can be lifelines for men grappling with the end of their marriages. Michelle Zenarosa, Getty Images Annabel Rocha | arocha@reckonmedia.com Trigger warning : This story mentions suicide.
Like other forms of breakups or loss, divorce can be traumatic for individuals processing the end of their marriage. Unfortunately, many lack the tools or support system to manage this life-changing event. According to Psychology Today , in the U.
S. the suicide rates among divorced or separated people are 2.4 times greater than people who are married.
Even more concerning, men who are divorced face an even greater risk. Divorced men are more than eight times more likely to commit suicide than divorced women, according to a 2003 University of California report that is still widely cited today. More recent research on men and suicide has continued to reference this statistic.
Traditional gender roles pressured onto men discourage displaying emotions, talking about feelings causing suppression and discouraging those who need help from seeking it out. According to Mayo Clinic , men with depression often go undiagnosed and are more likely to self-treat symptoms of depression with substances like drugs and alcohol. “It’s tragic even if there’s not a death by suicide for dads to become disconnected from their kids.
It’s bad for the kids, it’s bad for the dads, and I think.