June is Men’s Health Month
June is recognized as Men’s Health Month, and while there is a strong focus on men’s physical health – fitness, annual checkups and heart health, mental well-being is equally as important because mental health is health.
Men face unique challenges in mental health care, often masking struggles due to what society expects or what the traditional notions of masculinity is. The focus during June is a campaign to reduce the stigma around emotional vulnerability, promoting well-being and providing resources specifically for men.
Some statistics I found were: men are roughly four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women, approximately one in five men experience some form of mental health condition like depression, anxiety or PTSD and fewer than 30% of men experiencing mental health challenges seek out professional support.
As a professional tower, many of you see some horrific scenes when working an incident. Images that are hard to get out of your mind. And while you are taught to basically suck it up, often times that is easier said than done.
I received this from a friend who is a nurse at a VA hospital:
“Let’s breakdown the barriers of talking about, supporting and seeking help for men. It’s ok to not be ok. The struggle is real and no one should have to do it alone”. She added:
- Men cry
- Men break down
- Men get anxiety
- Men feel insecure
- Men get abused
- Men have emotions
- Men have mental illnesses
- It’s not “unmanly” to struggle
- Let’s support men
- Let’s encourage men
- Don’t belittle or silence men – men struggle, too.
Suggestions to help would be to start a conversation, create a safe space at home, work, gym, etc. and share resources. Remember, it’s ok to not be ok. Mental health care is as important as taking care of your physical health.