oleh R. Hardyanta, dibaca: 42 kali

Men's mental health is super important, but it often gets overlooked. The way mental health issues affect men can be different from women. While both men and women struggle with mental health, there are some clear differences in the issues they face and the factors that influence them.

Many things make it difficult for men to talk about their mental health. Here are some key reasons:

• Society's Ideas About Masculinity: For a long time, men have been expected to be tough, strong, and able to handle anything on their own. Showing weakness or admitting struggles can feel like going against this deeply ingrained idea of what it means to be a "man."
• Not Expressing Emotions: From a young age, boys are often taught not to show their feelings as openly as girls. This can lead to men having a harder time understanding, identifying, and talking about their emotions.
• Fear of Being Judged and Stigma: Many men worry that if they admit to having mental health problems, their friends, family, or colleagues will judge them negatively. They might be afraid of being seen as "not capable" or "less of a man."
• Missing the Signs: Mental health issues can show up differently in men than in women, making them harder to recognize. For example, a man experiencing depression might become more irritable or aggressive, while a woman might appear sad or anxious.
• Bottling Things Up: Instead of looking for support, men often keep their struggles to themselves. This can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse, angry outbursts, or even isolating themselves from others.

There are deeply rooted beliefs in society about how men should act, and these can really stop men from being open about their mental health issues:

• "Real men don't cry" or "Man up!": These phrases are commonly heard and taught from childhood. They reinforce the idea that expressing feelings and emotions isn't what a "man" does.
• Fear of looking weak: If a man admits to struggling with his mental health, it can be seen as a sign of weakness. This makes him less likely to seek help because he fears losing self-respect and the respect of others.
• The expectation of self-reliance: There's a strong belief that men should be able to solve all their problems on their own. This makes it tough for them to admit they need outside support.
• Worries about career and relationships: Men often fear that talking about their mental health will negatively affect their job prospects, reputation, and relationships.

It's not easy to start these conversations, but there are things we can do. Here are some tips from the perspective of a close friend or colleague:

1. Really Check In: Instead of just saying "How are you?" or "Are you okay?", ask open-ended questions like, "How are things really going for you?" This can help them share more specifically what they're going through.
2. Share Your Own Struggles (When Appropriate): When a man sees his peers or colleagues being more open, it can have a "ripple effect," making them feel safe enough to do the same.
3. Challenge Harmful Stereotypes: Speak up when you hear comments that stereotype or stigmatize mental health or masculinity. For example, ask why a man shouldn't talk about his anxiety or stress, especially if it's for his own good.
4. Encourage Healthy Activities: Support positive behaviors and activities like exercise, simple hobbies (like painting), or spending time outdoors as ways to cope with stress.
5. Offer Practical Support, Without Pressure: Say things like, "I'm going to play futsal, want to join?" or "Let's grab coffee, relax, and chat." Even just spending time together without serious talk can be a great way to offer support.
6. Know When to Act: If a friend is complaining about severe stress or expressing thoughts of self-harm, take it seriously. Urge them to seek professional help immediately, or if necessary, take them to emergency services.

Understanding mental health issues and realizing that men need to care for and manage their own mental well-being is the first step. This requires effort from individuals and a collective effort to break down harmful stigmas, improve emotional understanding, and reduce barriers to seeking help and support from friends, family, and professionals, without the fear of being judged or seen as weak.

Further reading:

• https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/men-and-mental-health#:~:text=Society's%20expectations%20and%20traditional%20gender,%2C%20risk%2Dtaking%20and%20aggression.
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mens-mental-health
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-for-taking-care-of-mens-mental-health