Just about 1 in 10 men experience some sort of depression or anxiety in their lifetime, but less than half actually seek or receive treatment, according to Mind Wise Innovations.
November is Men’s Mental Health Month.
Mental health is more than raising awareness and saying we support each other— mental health is about actively providing several options for people who are struggling. And the struggle is not uncommon.
A survey of over 1,000 men, organized by The Today Show, disclosed that 49% of men feel more depressed than they are willing to admit in their life.
Mental Health America reported that the 5 major mental health issues faced by men are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis/schizophrenia and eating disorders.
Suicide is the 7th leading cause of death in men and has been skyrocketing in white males since 2000. More than 4 times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, according to MHA.
From a 2010 report, 38,364 Americans died by suicide. Nearly 80% of suicides were committed by men— that means just over 30,000 men died by suicide.
Isolation, substance abuse, unemployment, PTSD from the military and sexual orientation are just a few of the many factors that put men at a higher risk for suicide.
What are some options for men who are seeking and need treatment?
For student-athletes, organizations like Morgan’s Message are available on campus. Recently, the mental health organization has partnered with the Kevin Love Fund.
Love is a 5-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. During a 2017 game, he had a panic attack on the court. Love later shared his struggles with anxiety and depression in a piece he wrote for The Player’s Tribune. He eventually became a motivational speaker, helping youths on and off the court.
In 2018, nearly a year after his breakdown on the court, he founded the Kevin Love Foundation with the goal to “inspire people to live their healthiest lives while providing tools for both mental and physical health.”
“Morgan’s Message is proud to announce its new partnership with Kevin Love Fund,” the organization said in a statement on its website. “Thank you for joining the message, we can’t wait to see the impact you will make.”
Mind and Match is like Tinder, but for finding the right mental health professional.
In this day and age, technology permits us to be in contact with whomever, whenever. Mind and Match is set on matching students with a professional based on their fit, not merely their location. Their goal is to make the process of finding a therapist or psychologist easier, affordable and to make the experience less pressuring.
Though the program is new, there are therapists and psychologists ready to provide “teletherapy” in over 37 states. For more information, visit their website here.
Founded in 2013, BetterHelp is another way people can find the right mental health professional. The organization takes pride in being the world’s largest online therapy service.
Over 28,000 licensed therapists are a part of the organization and BetterHelp offers financial aid for those who qualify.
If you know someone who is struggling or in need of help, know that it is available. Call or text 988 or use the online chat 988lifeline.org. If you need counseling right away, text 741741.
Remember: Help is available. You are not alone.
