Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Men’s Mental Health

"Men don't cry. They don't complain. They're stoic." These are antiquated ideas — and they're completely false. Yet the stigma surrounding men's mental health persists, and it's doing real harm to the men in our communities.

Dr. Hamzeh Badwan, family medicine provider at Riverside Healthcare's Watseka campus, shares why this stigma exists, how men can begin to change it, and what treatment options are available.

Men Suffer, Too

Men are just as at risk as women and adolescents for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia. Statistics show that six million American men are affected by depression each year — yet only 20% will seek treatment. Simply raising awareness about these facts is a meaningful first step in reducing the stigma.

"With the human body, if the brain isn't working correctly, the whole body is not going to work correctly," says Dr. Badwan. "This really is a quality of life issue. Usually, men don't go to the doctor until their limbs are falling off."

Physical Manifestations of Mental Health Concerns

Mental health struggles don't always show up as emotional symptoms. Physical signs can include fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems like IBS, diarrhea, or constipation. Men may also lash out more, withdraw from others, or both.

"They might engage in a lot of escaping behavior, where they will seclude themselves from their family and loved ones in order to not have anyone bear their pain," explains Dr. Badwan. "A lot of men think if they complain about something, other people will feel bogged down by that. The truth of the matter is, it's the opposite. You have friends and family to support you in times of need."

Sometimes men aren't even aware that certain symptoms — like insomnia or difficulty concentrating — might point to a mental health concern. That's why it's important to reach out if those issues don't resolve quickly.

Medication Isn't Always Necessary

Many men assume that seeking help for mental health means going on medication. That's not always the case. There are many non-medication treatment options that can be highly effective.

"We could do cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, sports or weight lifting, meditation. There are plenty of conservative management approaches that do not require medications," shares Dr. Badwan. "A lot of guys have the attitude of, 'I don't want to be on meds.' That's okay. We can try some other treatment options first. If that approach fails, then we can go ahead and try some medication to get them back where they need to be."

Real Men Reach Out for Help

A great place to start for any man dealing with mental health concerns is a visit with their primary care provider. A physician offers an unbiased, professional perspective — and may uncover an underlying physical issue that's contributing to mental health struggles.

Dr. Badwan urges men to find a provider they truly trust, so they feel free to be open and honest. It also takes a willingness to be honest with oneself.

"A real man will actually be in touch with his feelings and not deny anything. They will not bury anything. That's childlike behavior," he notes. "As a man, as a woman, we need to feel free to vocalize and articulate what's on the inside. That is maturity and growth."