Men's Mental Health Stigma

Traditional norms around masculine culture has created a barrier that makes it more difficult for men to reach out or speak up about their mental health.

Mental health is no stranger to our everyday lives, and is often countered with the encouragement to seek professional help if it reaches a concerning level. One issue that has been ongoing in regards to mental health is the stigma around men seeking help for their mental stability. In particular, it is uncommon for men to be seen seeking assistance for concerns like depression and anxiety. The suicide rate among men ranks much higher then women, about four times higher, and even still they are less likely to seek help (Mental Health America [MHA], 2020). Other issues like substance abuse are also more common to be seen in males, which is concerning because this shows they are more likely to turn to dangerous behaviors then to seek help compared to women. The underlying factor that relates to this type of issue can be described as the stigma in culture around men seeking mental health treatment, as it is a leading topic in many professional studies. For my project I will be creating one remix video and an infographic describing the steps in identifying mental health, speaking up, and also providing resources that may be more inviting for men in seeking help for their mental health. This can include phone numbers, therapists, medical services, etc. These resources may also be used to describe potential solutions to the issue around the topic.