Mental Health: Toxic Masculinity

-

Toxic Masculinity 



Men are often coerced to behave a certain way and display certain traits. Failure to do so lead to bullying, criticism and humiliation.

Men are expected to be strong and they are encouraged to not be emotional. For those reasons, men are reluctant to open up about mental health struggles and suffer in silence. The suicide rate associated with depression is higher among men than women because men do not seek mental help.

The solution is to end toxic masculinity in our society. One way to end this problem is through awareness.

First of all, one must know what is masculinity?

A set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men, regarded as having a negative impact on men and on society as a whole.

Traits: 

1. Boys don't cry
2. Men have to be strong
3. Men are behaviorally aggressive
4. Men cannot show their emotions
5. Men cannot be feminine
6. Men are more powerful

Toxic Masculinity discourage men to seek help regarding their Mental Health. For example: depression and anxiety are perceived as a sign of weakness and are stigmatized. There are negative attitudes towards men who have depression and anxiety, making them uncomfortable to talk about their emotions. 


Consequences of Toxic Masculinity 

As men are not encouraged to seek help for their Mental Health, they tend to suffer in silence. This can lead to loneliness and isolation which can in turn increase depressive symptoms. 

Ending Toxic Masculinity

1. Identify your own biases
Do you have unconscious biases about masculinity such as ''he's so feminine / he needs to man-up / be a real man''

2. Raise awareness on the issue 
One way of raising awareness is through education. Educate people that it is okay for men to be sensitive or emotional.

3. Men need to feel safe to talk about their Mental Health
Men need to be encouraged to talk openly about their mental health struggles without being invalidated or shamed. Men should also feel encouraged to seek mental health help.

 

“If we want masculinity to be different, we must
confront and tackle the baseline instead of longing for exceptions.”
― Vivek Shraya, 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mental Health: What do you understand by Depression?

-
Image
 Depression Depression is a temper disease that reasons a chronic feeling of disappointment and lack of interest. Also known as essential depressive disease or medical melancholy, it influences the way you sense, suppose and behave and may result in lots of emotional and bodily problems. You might also additionally have problem doing regular daily activities, and every so often you could sense as though existence isn't always really well worth living. More than only a bout of the blues, melancholy isn't always a weak spot and also you cannot simply "snap out" of it. Depression might also additionally require long-time period treatment. But do not get discouraged. Most humans with melancholy sense higher with medication, psychotherapy or both.
Read more

Mental Health: Signs of Depression

-
Image
Signs of Depression 1. Feeling sad or empty Mood changes are one of the most common symptoms of depression. A person who has depression may feel sad or down for long periods. They may also say that they feel “empty” or unable to feel joy or happiness. Some people may describe this sadness as despair. 2. Feeling hopeless or helpless Depression can make people feel hopeless, as though there is no foreseeable end to how they are feeling. A person may also feel helpless. They may say or think that no one can help them get better and that they will always feel depressed. 3. Feeling worthless A person who has depression may feel that they are worthless or have no meaning in their life. They may believe that they are a burden to others or that the world or their family is better off without them. 4. Feeling excessively guilty Guilt is a normal reaction after a person says or does something that they regret, but people with depression may have ongoing feelings of guilt that are inappropriate o
Read more

Bipolar disorder

-
Bipolar disorder This disorder affects about 45 million people worldwide. It typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood. Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, rapid speech, inflated self-esteem and a decreased need for sleep. People who have manic attacks but do not experience depressive episodes are also classified as having bipolar disorder.
Read more