Mental Health Problems Continue to Rise in Men, Do You Know the Signs?

Men need hugs too! Yes, that may seem different than how you were raised and how society views the emotionally side of a man. However, according to statistics, 6 million males are affected by depression per year? June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month but, the men in your life, well, they need you year-round!

It's been seen since the year 2000, that the male suicide rate has risen each year.

According to Mental Health America, research shows that the highest rates of suicide here in America are White men over the age of 85. It is now the 7th leading cause of deaths among males.

What does that look like for men? Mental health issues in men can look differently than in women. Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis and Schizophrenia and lastly on the list are eating disorders. The numbers are shocking, over 6 million men suffer from depression each year and oftentimes, it can go undiagnosed. If you ever notice, the men in your life experiencing unusual amounts of fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, those can be the warning signs that, the man in your life maybe experiencing depression.

Now, when it comes to the onset of bipolar disorder in men, that generally takes place between the ages of 16 to 25 years old. However, men are not in the clear by age 25. Due to the fact that men who experience signs of Psychosis and Schizophrenia, theyare typically diagnosed by the age of 30. Then you have eating disorders that men also deal with and in that area, it's less likely that they'll seek professional help.

By now, men's mental illness has become a public health concern. Socially, society has prescribed "rules" surrounding what masculinity is and what it looks like. Because of that, pressure has been placed on a man's belief and how he should express it.

Specifically, in the African American community, men deal heavily with this while growing into manhood and it can weigh heavily on your mental health. On top of that, there is documented evidence that there is a correlation between low income and poor mental health. Health disparities are real and they play a major role into the access of treatment. Nationally, nearly 10% of African Americans don't have health insurance.

Overall, there are certain risk factors that will put men at a higher risk for suicide. Those factors include social isolation, substance abuse, unemployment, military related trauma, along with other mood disorders. A man's sexual orientation also plays into how he experiences dealing with "masculinity" and mental health. Gay and bisexual men are more likely to develop mental health disorders than heterosexual men and gay men are at an increased risk for suicide attempts before the age of 25.

Men will die by suicide four times more than women. Did you know that when it comes to the science of male mental health that low levels of testosterone are correlated with depression, stress and mood swing, especially in older men. As you can see, mental health illness doesn't discriminate against age. It is possible that men from the young age of 16 to those living well into their 80s, at some point may experience some sort of mental health issue.

Men's mental health is important! Your mind is a part of your body and if we can seek out a doctor to help us with other health concerns such as Cardiology or your primary care physician then, it is okay and now encouraged, that you seek out professional help when dealing with your mind as well. Suicide can be prevented and it doesn't have to be you last resort.

If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing signs of mental illness, please seek out help. Call and make an appointment for a therapist, start there! If you or you know someone who is experiencing an emergency situation dealing with thoughts of suicide, the state of Michigan has a Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or head to your nearest internet browser and visit https://988lifeline.org/chat/