The system of patriarchy encourages power, political leadership, and authority to be the primary responsibilities of men. Patriarchal definitions of masculinity are detrimental to the well-being and freedom of men, imposing unfair and damaging expectations and stereotypes.
Statistically, men are three times more likely to commit suicide, and 40% of men claim it would take suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self harm to compel them to seek help. Similarly, 40% of men claimed they would not share their mental health problems with a partner. Work related issues ranked top of the causes of biggest pressures in men’s lives, creating a definite link between stereotypes about manhood, and consequences on mental health.
The importance of talking about mental illnesses cannot be overestimated. Talking openly about mental health helps decrease the stigma around it, and debunk mythical concepts of masculinity and weakness. In addition, the prevalence of mental health disorders is only increasing, and with that, suicide rates are dropping. Normalising struggling leads to education, increased validation of mental illnesses and more people seeking treatment.
One potential cause of the overwhelming silence concerning men’s mental health problems, is the sexism of the media’s portrayal of male characters. Far too often, the media teaches that men must not be emotional (unless aggressively), that they must be epitomes of power and strength, and economically dominant and socially successful. Given the unattainable nature of these, it is no wonder so many feel they cannot measure up.
Mental health concerns men just as much as all genders, but the patriarchy’s establishment of the flawed concept of toxic masculinity, wrongly teaches us otherwise. A discussion of men’s mental health problems is yet another reminder that the patriarchy oppresses, and feminism liberates us all equally.
Written by Imogen Aley
Artwork by Zara Masood
Comments