Kailey Krantz | Staff Writer
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, so why do men neglect it? No matter what society says, men’s mental health is important.
Everyone likes talking about taking care of their mental health, but men are being left out of the conversation for far too long.
One main reason why men’s mental health isn’t taken seriously is due to societal expectations on how men should act and the lack of information about mental health resources for men.
The derivative phrase “men will do anything but go to therapy” comes to mind when describing how men are falling short of taking care of themselves mentally.
Men are expected to be bread-winners who keep their emotions hidden under lock and key. They are told to suck it up and deal with it on their own but realistically, no one could handle the weight of their emotions with that attitude.
Men aren’t robots that can keep their emotions undercover for the sake of keeping their masculinity intact. They can feel human emotions that can be overwhelming for anyone to deal with.
In other words, going to therapy and prioritizing mental health doesn’t destroy your manliness.
It isn’t a sign of weakness, but a benefit to leading a better life for yourself, friends, family and loved ones.
These societal expectations need to be gutted so men can be free to express their inner turmoil and open up about some of the struggles they have been facing.
There is also the lack of awareness that mental health services exist for men as well. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, an event that’s a great annual reminder that men’s mental health deserves to be taken seriously.
The stigma is so palpable that women are more likely to take advantage of mental health resources than men all because not many people think that men have a vast array of emotions.
If men don’t know about these resources, like the ones found in Counseling and Psychological Services, then how are they going to use them?
Waiting until the last minute to address your mental health is a recipe for disaster.
Luckily, there are services like the Men’s Engagement Center that can help male-identifying students better understand their gender identity and some of the ways they can look after their mental health.
There is no shame in seeking therapy. It’s time to give men the spotlight on their mental health this month and every month hereafter – it’s going to be a lifesaver they won’t regret.
DISCLAIMER:
The opinions presented on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.
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