Men around the world struggle to seek help for their mental health – and a Midlands doctor explains why.
MIDLAND, Texas — June is officially known as Men’s Mental Health Month, a month that encourages men to speak up about their own mental health issues.
However, for many years, many men have been told to keep their emotions and feelings inside and not talk about it.
This has created a generation of men who find it difficult to discuss things.
“Men, in particular, often face unique challenges when it comes to their mental health,” said Dr. Rohith Saravanan, chief medical officer at Midland Memorial Health. “Societal expectations and stigmas around masculinity can make it difficult for men to seek help.”
When men don’t have the means to talk things out, they are more likely to fall into bad habits and go down a dangerous path that can sometimes be fatal.
“Men are less likely to talk about their feelings and more likely to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse,” Dr Saravanan said. “Statistics show that men are more likely to commit suicide than women, highlighting the serious consequences of untreated mental health issues.”
Untreated mental health issues exist everywhere, including in the Permian Basin.
A blue-collar culture that emphasizes hard work can take a mental toll on people who come to work.
“These challenges are compounded by factors such as the demands of oil and gas work, economic pressures and sometimes limited access to mental health services,” Dr Saravanan said. “Labour mobility in the region can also lead to men feeling isolated and stressed.”
According to Dr Saravanan, the most common mental health issues faced by men are depression, anxiety, stress and substance abuse.
Younger people have more to do and are therefore more likely to suffer from stress.
Older adults are more likely to experience depression due to increased social isolation.
However, there are signs people can look out for to tell if someone is having mental health issues.
“The most common [signs] “The thing to look at is social isolation,” Dr Saravanan says. “People are withdrawing from the things in life that normally bring them joy, they’re not going out with friends like they used to, they’re constantly on edge or unable to carry out certain tasks because of the level of anxiety they bring.”
The most important thing in helping someone with mental health issues is to reach out and let them know they are not alone and that there are people they can rely on.
“Be there for your friends and family and be available. Check in on them more often, especially when they are isolated or going through stressful situations. Check in on them more often,” Dr. Saravanan said.
Related: Breaking down stigmas during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
