Suicide is preventable, treatment does work, and there are many free resources to help you or someone you’re worried about.
- Men are less likely than women to seek mental health treatment.
- Suicide rates are significantly higher among men than women.
- Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common mental health conditions affecting men.
How do you know if you’re struggling with your mental health?
Men are socialized to repress emotions. For many men, emotions are looked at as a weakness or that we can’t be a good husband/father/man if we feel sad or worried. This pressure can build, leading to mental health problems. In men, depression and anxiety often manifest as:
- Anger
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little)
- Loss of interest in activities
- Feeling a constant need to work
- Addictive behaviors or using substances like alcohol to cope
Tips for improving your mental health:
- Take care of your physical needs and social needs
- Engage in regular exercise.
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques or hobbies.
- Seek professional help when needed.
- Help yourself and others feel more comfortable getting help by talking about mental and emotional health by talking openly about your challenges and struggles.
When should you reach out for professional help?
Consider reaching out to a professional if:
- Symptoms are getting worse or are not improving over time.
- Symptoms are interfering with your daily life, work, or relationships.
- You are turning to drugs or alcohol to cope.
- You are having thoughts of harming yourself or others.
Call, text, or chat 988 if you or someone you know needs help.
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- 988 provides immediate emotional and mental health support from trained crisis workers. Trained crisis workers help people through everything from everyday challenges to serious crisis situations. No situation is too small.
- Crisis workers are available to help if you or someone you know is in distress, thinking of suicide or exhibiting warning signs, or needs emotional support—it doesn’t have to be an emergency to call.
- Calls are routed to the next available 988 center, so there is always an expert available to help. You don’t need to wait until things get worse.
- You don’t need identification, proof of citizenship, insurance, or a social security number to get help.
- Learn more at https://988lifeline.org.
