Mental Health America of Fredericksburg wants to take this opportunity to remind our community that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage. Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects over 6 million men in the United States. Despite its prevalence, many men often hesitate to seek help due to the stigma associated with mental health challenges.
Disclaimer: The following blog post includes topics of depression, anxiety, and suicide for informational purposes only. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988. For help finding mental health providers in the Fredericksburg region, call us at (540) 371-2704 or visit our online provider resource database at www.mhafred/helpline/.
Men & Seeking Help
Due to stigma surrounding mental health challenges, men are less likely to seek help than women. This stigma can include, but is not limited to societal norms, hesitancy to communicate, and minimizing symptoms. When men describe their symptoms, they are more likely to state they’re feeling tired, or losing interest in hobbies. They are less likely to report the more commonly recognized emotional symptoms. This can make it challenging for them to identify their own mental health struggles and to seek appropriate support.
Why is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Important?
Every year, over 6 million men suffer from depression. Over 3 million men have a panic disorder and/or phobia associated with anxiety. As stated above, men are less likely to seek help for mental health challenges and this is having a negative impact on the community. In 2010, 79% of people who died of suicide were identified as being men. Furthermore, men died of suicide at a rate of 4 times more than women.
With these numbers on the rise every year, it is imperative that mental health advocates in our communities draw attention to these rising numbers.
Men’s Mental Health & the LGBTQ+ Community
It is important to recognize that depression does not discriminate; it affects individuals regardless of their age, gender, or background.
The most reported causes of depression in homosexual men are prejudiced incidents, fear of rejection and discrimination, hiding one’s identity, and internalized homophobia. At Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, we are actively working in our community to break these stigmas by participating in FXBG Pride.
Help Us Break the Stigma
Addressing men’s mental health challenges isn’t limited to one month. Reducing the stigma surrounding men’s mental health can make it easier to reach out and receive the help needed to improve the quality of life for men in our community.
Our goal is to foster a supportive environment and provide accessible resources for everyone. Together, we can make strides in ensuring that those affected by depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges receive the care and understanding they need.
Follow along with Mental Health America of Fredericksburg as we work in the community to break the stigma of mental health challenges!
