Due to shifting times and research on mental health, it becomes apparent how important it is to address men’s mental health and remove the stigma of seeking support.
Men’s mental health is underdiagnosed because much of their symptoms do not represent the DSM criteria. For example, depression in men does not necessarily follow the symptoms of being sad, unmotivated, and tired all the time. For men, depression symptoms are usually more angry, aggressive, and irritable as these are more acceptable to show them to feel sad or have a low mood.
Men need a place where they can feel free to express themselves without judgement and learn about emotional expression, labelling emotions, feeling their emotions and talking about them. When offered this space, men can address and remove societal expectations of emotional expression and learn effective ways of expressing their emotions that are not fueled by anger. They can learn skills that will assist in feeling the underlying sadness that could be accompanying the anger. Additionally, address any childhood trauma that may be impacting your inner child, and their sadness is prompting the anger you are feeling today.
I strive to engage in continuous research about men’s mental health to provide knowledge and psychoeducation to my male clients. As well, as provide a place where they feel comfortable to engage in healing.
