My Reaction To Mental Health Care for Men: Getting Past the Stigma

This is all bout men’s mental health!
 
So let’s see what has been said, and I’ll react to it!
 

As we uncover more about the effects of mental health conditions, we also learn in particular how different groups deal with them and approach treatment.
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For example, while women demonstrate a higher prevalence of mental illness, men are more likely to die from suicide and alcohol and drug abuse.
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Oh, I’m so glad that I was sent this, as this is one of my many talents that I provide lol (Therapy)
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I have to call this out very quickly, this is very misleading!
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First, yes more women are suffering from mental illness, men are more likely to die from suicide because, when they sadly to choose to end their lives, they do it correctly more often than not, Vs women who normally botch it up, which is great!
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The alcohol and drug abuse is true, and that’s because they don’t speak! Which is what this whole thing is about, no ?
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To end the stigma, so I thought I would point that out to you.
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This statistic is often attributed to the stigma of seeking treatment for mental health struggles in men, which may be perceived as a threat to their masculinity.
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While strides have been made to encourage openness about mental health struggles, it is clear that more needs to be done to increase the number of men with psychiatric disorders who seek care. In recent years, several studies examining male mental health care have been published.
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Very true, it’s hard (Not for me) for men to come out and speak about their issues, as it’s ingrained in us to not, and just carry on, on the other hand, when you hear men say no gives a beeep!
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I understand that too, and more needs to be done about that, and to break this cycle or more men will kill themselves.
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Some have looked at what factors make men more or less likely to accept treatment.
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Others investigated approaches to make men more likely to seek mental health care.
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Some attempted to challenge the narrative that men often won’t seek help.
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What has research shown about men’s willingness to seek care for their mental health struggles?
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What Mental Health Interventions Do Men Prefer?
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A 2023 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health examined a survey of Australian men to find insight into what makes them likely to disconnect or engage with mental health services.
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While there are limitations to the study, it does shine light on the thought processes of men who are willing to pursue treatment and what may make them unwilling to continue that pursuit.
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The researchers observed that many of the men disengaged from their mental health services due to what they perceived to be a lack of authenticity and professionalism.
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Some talked about feeling like they were not being listened to, while others were left without a health care professional after the one they were seeing had retired or moved without recommending replacement services.
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Many men also discussed the struggle of navigating the Australian health care system to find consistent and accessible services.
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I mean we have heard this one before, when I reacted to how women are being treated in the mental health sector, and they are more open and go, so this is a kick in the teeth for men.
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This is why modern day therapy is the way forward, and the old school way out the door, it’s not that it does not help, it’s that the let’s come in the front door is not very welcome.
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It’s like if a child is going to an adoptive home and the new parents are looking evil and looking to bully the child, the child will more than likely take off, in fear…
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So the first approach must be better on all fronts, this is why I do this, and do it right! (LEARN MORE)
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When asked what would make these men more likely to re-engage in mental health services, many said they wanted more honest and transparent communication to try and create a better environment to feel understood and develop trust.
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Participants also said they would more strongly consider re-engagement if there was an easier standard of reentry into the mental health care system.
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Interestingly, despite the reputation for male stoicism in the face of mental health struggles, many men said that they had positive experiences with peer workers and community-based approaches.
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This included lived experience support groups – respondents claimed the social element made them feel more comfortable and connected to the process.
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You should not even be in this field of work if you are not trustworthy, build a bridge of trust, and create a safe place for them to speak with no filter.
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The fact they are saying they are not being honest, transparent communications, says a lot about these so-called pro’s, that have decades of doing the wrong thing. This is like a basketball player that cannot dribble forward or pass, let alone shoot!
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I notice that a lot of men like this community based approach, and until they wake up to the fact that men are not going to stand for B.S and fake ways, the one on one approach will die, a woman may know too, but put up with it a little while longer, but all in all, this industry is not doing the basics right, which is sad but true.
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Advances in Male-Targeted Mental Health Care

A 2023 review in Frontiers in Psychology examined male-specific psychotherapy options, finding the potential for improving therapeutic adherence and effectiveness.

Male-tailored psychoeducation for major depressive disorder, which involved gender-specific education on depressive symptoms and male ideologies, showed promise in reducing negative effects.


Well of course men and women should not be getting the same therapy, are needs are not the same, and as soon as we get this into our skulls the better!

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The review also examined newer community-based efforts, such as the James’ Place program in the United Kingdom.


The service provided clinical interventions to suicidal men, and the researchers found the program effective at reducing suicidal thoughts and improving clinical outcomes.

The researchers concluded that as research develops on traditional masculine ideologies,
these more targeted interventions may help increase education on mental health in a way that can soften the stigmas that make many men reluctant to seek help.

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It would also help if when men ask for help, those that are hearing it, don’t act as if it’s weakness, straight laugh in their face, or diss them for asking, and use it against them (COUGH WOMEN)

S/O to the ones that know and do better!

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THAT’S IT!

KARIM

We Look Up 倧

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Henry Riley
Henry Riley
1 year ago

I like this, very good to learn from your reactions πŸ™‚

Harrison Lane
Harrison Lane
1 year ago

Shared

Xavi Clay
Xavi Clay
1 year ago

I had a female therapist and it made me even worse, as she could not understand in my shoes, not really.

Christopher Lewis
Christopher Lewis
1 year ago

It’s how I felt to be honest with you Karim. In the end I put it down to me, and it being my own fault when I was in therapy, but most of my feelings were vaild and right, about how I was treated so poorly by my therapist, who happend to be a woman, I felt like I didn’t matter.

Cody Jones
Cody Jones
1 year ago

I’ve been so use to doing things on my own, I cannot imagine speaking about my troubles, I’m older than you Karim, so I’m very much a let’s just get on with it, and have an strong upper lip! However since reading this, It’s made me want to speak with you.

Jackson Shields
Jackson Shields
1 year ago

Thank you!

Dominic Graham
Dominic Graham
1 year ago

You did a great job with this reaction, the info was so good.

Penny Norris
Penny Norris
1 year ago

SHARED

Adelaide Bear
Adelaide Bear
1 year ago

Shared πŸ™‚

Sloan Binns
Sloan Binns
1 year ago

Lee sent me here.

Christina Staples
Christina Staples
1 year ago

Thanks for this share.

Madeline Markle
Madeline Markle
1 year ago

Thanks for this!

Naomi Mitchell
Naomi Mitchell
1 year ago

Very true πŸ™‚

Annika Bain
Annika Bain
1 year ago

Ryan sent me here.

Alyssa Miller
Alyssa Miller
1 year ago

This great!

Audrey Barry
Audrey Barry
1 year ago

This so good!

Iikka Tamminen
Iikka Tamminen
1 year ago

You’re right πŸ™‚

Jari SelΓ€nne
Jari SelΓ€nne
1 year ago

I will get your help.