Week of February 15th

Failure to properly address the underlying cause of mental health, whether it be in males or females, will continue to lead us into never ending debates and struggles. Research continues to focus most of its energy on deciphering the intricate details of the human mind while steering away from the environmental and societal elements that are the true culprits of mental illness. This is because we live in an era of evidence based medicine, rather evidence based everything. We must physically see, hear, and understand a disease before we can agree on how to treat it, otherwise we are overwhelmed by a tarnished and tainted ego. I am not a fan of generalizations, and in medicine there are always exceptions, however if we were to take a broad view of societal and environmental trends in the past century, maybe the picture would become clear to all.
No one would disagree that the advancements in technology, medicine, and global communication have been mind blowing to say the least. So the question arises; as we advance in those arenas, why do we continue to regress mentally? Why are there more mentally ill individuals in the world today? These advancement have lead us to a state of constant fear! As you read this, you are in fear of something, whether it be loss of a job, failure in school, breakdown of a relationship, global warming, an illness, collapse of the economy, corrupt leaders, and even in most parts of the world today chaos and war. Add to this the loneliness we face to get through these fears has become a recipe for disaster. We constantly bombard each other with the notion of fear, that we now fear everyone; from the man walking down the street, to the neighbor, from your teacher to your mentor, and even from your own brother, mother and/or father. We are so afraid that we see wrong and indecencies in our daily lives, yet fear of rejection or retaliation leads us to say or do nothing.
There was a time when honesty, integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness where qualities of most people and the fears of society were tackled by all. And although they had less comforts, less amenities, less technology, and less medicine, their lives were filled with harmony, contentment, and happiness. Unfortunately, these words are only seen in dictionaries in the times we live in. It is not surprising, that Christianity, Judaism and Islam mentioned centuries ago in their scriptures, that when communities begin to regress ethically and morally, they are plagued with fear and hunger from GOD.
We can have all the therapist in the world, the best of medicines, the most advancements in technology, and even spend billions of dollars, but until we can be defined by those words in the dictionary and learn to help one another like our ancestors did, mental illness will continue plague our societies.

This issue of mental health as it relates to this specific cohort illustrates multiple systemic failures, of which includes a lack of funding for mental health but by itself is not encompassing of the entire problem. As illustrated by the author, young men feel a societal pressure to maintain their feelings internally, causing inner turmoil and a lack of professional direction that can lead to the drastic consequences of substance abuse and self harm being demonstrated. This is where, from an early age, the school system can play an engaging role, aiding and enabling vehicles of emotional and psycho social expression among students and creating an environment free of scrutiny from such expression. Teachers and guidance councilers can be provided further education as it relates to mental health. This should continue into secondary education, ensuring students have adequate, easy and affordable access to mental health professionals and creating social environments that promote collaboration. The school system is an excellent institution to begin to address these concerns, it addresses members of society from a young age in a critical setting. Furthermore occupational support should be provided for all employees as mental health is a life long endeavor. Perhaps, equally important is the social stigma of mental health, society must work to break down the barriers for young men who perceive they will be judged negatively if they express personal struggles and concerns. Furthermore, this illustrates the need for more primary care providers. Primary care providers can provide a safe environment through which these concerns can be expressed through a relationship built on trust and confidentiality. However it should not just be Primary Care providers burdened with tackling this issue, all health care workers should play a role and continue their education on how to identify and address mental health while taking a more holistic approach to patient care. With an approach that encompasses institutions from government, to healthcare, to the educational system, progress can be made to ensure that suicide is not responsible for 1 in 4 deaths of men under 35 in the UK.

While this article mainly talks about the mental health crisis that many males face today, I believe that a lot can be done to not only appropriately diagnosed patients but to also treat them as well. It is true that more females seek out medical help more than what males do. The article points out that male mental heath illness are being ignore when in reality I believe that most males rather ignore their problems than face them. Most male patients grow up with the idea that the best way to face a problem is by ignoring it, something that gets passed on from father to son. Understanding and treating male mental health illness should start in the patients home life and involving ones family is a mayor step that can be taken to shed some light into what circumstances are involve that make a male patient compartmentalize there life problems. This article also points out, that more has to be done to engage more male patients to seek out help and talk, something that I completely agree with.

I feel that the article did a great job explaining the presence of gender disparities in mental health. The article reports that women have a higher rate of suicide “attempts”, while the men have a higher rate of suicide completion. These findings go back to the fact that males (in general) express their emotions/feelings through violence and “bantering,” while females (in general) are more emotionally and language driven. Knowing these differences between genders provides better tools to approach their mental needs more on an individualized basis, rather than in a standardized manner. Steps need to be taken help those who are suffering in a manner that is best for them. Men (of all ages) should be provided the proper resources and outlets that will address their mental health needs. I think this article is a great example of how we cannot treat patients with “cookie-cutter medicine.” Not every person (or gender) responds to therapies, treatments, or situations the same and therefore there should be numerous outlets and types of treatments available.

In this day and age, men are expected not to express their emotions as though they are not human beings with feelings. It is sad to see, read or hear that men are going through various psychological issues without undergoing the proper channels for resolution. This article points out the ‘stigma’ around men admitting to having mental illness as a sign of failure and weakness. I second the motion that men deserve a unique and tailored approach to addressing these issues.
I wonder if group cognitive behavioral therapy approach, as oppose to individualized sessions might be more beneficial in resolving the mental issues of men. Perhaps even joining the men’s group at their local churches etc. might also help. I say this because I think it might make the men feel that they are not in isolation of their mental health issues. It could be more encouraging to them, knowing that other "macho” men are undergoing similar issues and hence they could strive to resolve it together.

Mental health disorders are increasing in men, but diagnosing mental disorders in men is more difficult to do compared to women. It has a lot to do with the “wiring” of men, as men have a more difficult time relaying our emotions/thoughts. It is more difficult for men to open up and let someone else in to help them because this is perceived as a weakness. Men are always told “act a man”, which also inhibits men from seeking help because they will be perceived as “a failure and a weakness”. The combination of these events does allow for increased drug and alcohol abuse in men to help them cope with their current mental status, because it is easier to self-medicate then to ask a stranger for help. Increased education and availability of resources beginning at a younger age can improve diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in men.