Men’s health: What you need to know

Rejoice Baradzi

NOVEMBER has been declared as men’s health awareness month and with it comes various efforts to create defense for men’s health.

Men’s mental health is an important yet often overlooked health concern. Women are more likely to experience mental health conditions t han men but men are 3,5 times more likely to die from suicide than women. This may be because men tend to choose more lethal weapons, such as firearms.

Men’s mental problems arise from different causes and triggers than those that affect women. Most men’s issues often stem from societal expectations and traditional gender roles. All these may lead men to think that they must be bread winners in the family, display traditional masculine traits such as strength and control, rely on oneself and not seek help from others and not speak openly about their emotions. Holding on to these traditional beliefs negatively impact men’s mental health and keep them from accessing support and treatment.

WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL PROBLEMS

◆ Aggressiveness, anger, irritability.

◆ Changes in mood or energy levels.

◆ Changes in appetite or sleeping habits.

◆ Difficulty focusing.

◆ Feeling restless.

◆ A high consumption of alcohol.

◆ Inappropriate use of drugs.

◆ Participating in risky activities.

◆ Having aches, pains and other physical symptoms without a clear cause.

◆ Obsessive compulsive thoughts or behaviours.

◆ Thinking or acting in a way that courses concern to others or has a negative impact on work, social or family life.

◆ Thinking about or attempting suicide.

COMMON MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN MEN

◆ Depression

◆ Anxiety disorders

◆ Schizophrenia

◆ Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)

◆ Substance abuse.

WHO IS AT RISK?

◆ Men experiencing employment issues - unemployment and retrenchment increase the risk of depression and suicide.

◆ Men with legal or financial concerns.

◆ Men who misuse alcohol or drugs.

◆ Men with a family history of mental health issues.

◆ Men dealing with other life challenges.

TREATMENT

Men are reluctant to seek and continue treatment for mental health issues. With effective treatment, people can learn to manage their symptoms and feel better. Treatment of mental health issues include;

◆ Psychotherapy

◆ Medication

◆ Lifestyle changes

◆ Peer support.

◆ NB: SUFFERING IN SILENCE IS NOT A SAFE OR HEALTHY OPTION FOR MEN.