Hello Kings, as you may remember, June is National Men’s Mental Health Awareness month, but at The Kingdom, we believe men’s mental health is an important topic of discussion every month and want to keep the conversation going. The mental health stigma still exists and the discussion is far from over. We want to provide support and encourage men to seek help when needed. Here’s why:

The Risk of Suicide

Men are more likely to commit suicide than women and use more lethal methods. Not only are men at a higher risk for suicide, but they are also less likely to seek out mental health treatment. Let’s talk about why that is. Ideas of toxic masculinity is a major risk factor of men committing suicide and prevents men from seeking mental health help. Due to cultural and societal norms, men have been conditioned to believe that they are weak for expressing any sign of vulnerability and bottle up any emotions they have. Men are often underdiagnosed when they are experiencing depression, contributing to the lack of treatment. 

Substance Abuse in Men

An underlying symptom of mental health issues in men is substance abuse. Instead of turning to substances to cope when experiencing negative emotions, break the cycle and choose an alternative. Turn to a men’s group. Confide in a trusted friend. Substance abuse is overlooked because of norms conditioning us to believe it’s normal behavior when it is not. Not only does prolonged substance abuse increase the risk of physical health issues, it worsens pre-existing mental health disorders. This abuse is detrimental to men’s physical and mental health. 

The Impact of Fatherhood

Becoming a father is a life-changing experience that can feel overwhelming at times. It’s important to be aware of the fact that postpartum depression (PPD) can affect men and take a serious toll on their mental health. We are all aware of how PPD affects new mothers, however, PPD in regards to fathers is not talked about nearly enough and many people don’t even know that this affects 1 in 10 fathers. If you’re a man with a history of anxiety, depression, or experiencing any stress-inducing situations, you’re at a higher risk of PPD. PPD can create difficulty with fathers bonding with the baby and contribute to an increase in risk-taking behaviors. Knowing that this type of depression exists in men, allows us to offer support to other men who may be experiencing this. Reaching out from one dad to another can provide the encouragement needed to contact a therapist and take medication if needed. It all starts with a conversation. 

At The Kingdom, we want to provide men with a safe place to relax and feel safe being in your thoughts and feelings. With our opportunities for brotherhood, it’s a safe place to be in your challenges and share worries and concerns with other men who will encourage you to open up. Be a part of the change and help break the stigma. We’re all in this together!