NARCOLEPSY EXPLAINED
According to a joint press release done by WHO, United for Global Health and the World Federation of Mental Health; an estimated 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder of some sort. Furthermore, 3 million people have been adversely affected by harmful alcohol use and close to 1 million die of suicide every year. Men constitute a majority in being affected by these disorders and in view of the ongoing “Movember,”we will focus on male mental health issues in this discussion.
Why mental health for men? Men are mostly affected by mental disorders in comparison to women. There is substantial evidence that suicide rates are high among males as they take their lives four times the rate of women. It is worth noting that in suicide acts, men employ the most lethal methods. There are also incidences of anti-social personality disorders, conduct disorders and schizophrenia that affects males from 15-25 years and is associated with poorer functioning. Additionally, men use illicit drugs highlighting the incidence of substance use disorders.
What influences mental health issues in men? One factor is that men feel ashamed or embarrassed to share thoughts and feelings which is largely influenced by culture as men are “expected” to be strong. Men do not share out feelings which does not augur well for their mental health. Men have been reported to have powerful emotions like anger. Anger is socially acceptable in the society but it is important to ensure that it is not destructive. Anger can be destructive as it is a recipe for disaster pertaining to heart related ailments and thus should be channelled to positive avenues like rigorous physical activity. The anger issues predisposes men to acting out behaviour hence the increased incidences of gender based violence/intimate partner violence.
Men do not seek mental health services as compared to women. Men often end up having their mental disorders develop into chronicity as they delay seeking help at the onset of their symptoms. The discussion has clearly highlighted the vulnerability of men to mental health issues. As men makes those pledges of keeping moustaches and subsequently donating cash, let mental health be their focus. Beyond “Movem
ber” there is need for a conversation on male mental health; following the dialogue there is need to improve programming that will target male mental health as well as policy shift directed at men issues like paternal maternity leave.