Mental Health Resources for Men

Self-care is a process of caring for your own mental health and doing little things to improve mental wellness. You can attend to your own mental and emotional needs to keep yourself more balanced on a day-to-day basis.

Self-care differs from person to person. A therapist or social worker can help you work out what helps for you, but it's best to start with low-stress activities that help you relax. Classic self-care options include things like drawing a bath, taking a break from social media, or putting extra care into a hygiene routine, but it differs from person to person. Self-care may include making time for your favorite hobbies, from caring for a garden to woodworking to cooking.

Risk factors differ by type of mental illness, but there are some basic things you can look out for.

• A history of mental illness in your family or other mental illnesses you've had
• Increased stress in your life, whether professional or personal
• A sudden stressful event (such as job loss or the death of a loved one)
• A chronic physical condition
• Traumatic brain injury or another injury to the brain
• Traumatic events, such as accidents or military combat
• Alcohol and/or drug use
• Abuse or neglect in childhood
• Relationship abuse
• Isolation or a lack of close family or friend relationships

(Mental Illness, Mayo Clinic)

Race can play a part in preventing men from seeking the care they need. For example, men of color may feel hesitant to seek help from a psychology workforce that's overwhelmingly white: 83% in 2019, according to the American Psychological Association. (Demographics of the US Psychology Workforce, APA) Geographical distribution makes it difficult to seek help in some areas of the US. Lack of healthcare access makes it difficult for Hispanic and African American men to seek mental health help. (Ethnic & Racial Minorities and Socioeconomic Status, APA)

A therapist provides behavioral-modification-based care, or care that aims to help you through coping mechanisms you can use daily. A psychiatrist may use the same talk therapy tactics, but they can also prescribe medications. Most psychiatrists have a doctorate degree and only a few specialists can practice without one.

Our mental healthcare providers can offer a range of treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy. You can talk to a therapist about the struggles in your life, and they will help you break down and work through them. You can see a therapist alone, or go to couples, family, or group therapy to work on issues together. You may also receive medications from a psychiatrist to help manage symptoms.

There are many different symptoms for different kinds of mental illnesses. For example, depression often comes with low mental and physical energy, fatigue, and loss of appetite or sexual desires. Anxiety disorders may come with increased heart rate, hyperventilation, trembling, and a weak feeling. More severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia may be accompanied by audio or visual hallucinations. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to contact a mental health professional.

Whether you want to talk to a loved one about your own mental illness or express your concerns for their wellbeing, it can be hard to take that first step. You can consult your therapist about how to raise the subject. It may help you to write down a list of things you wish to talk about. The most important thing to remember is that you deserve love, help, and support and to keep an open, understanding mind to support your loved ones. Listening to what each other has to say is key.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek help in an emergency room or use a helpline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. If you're the victim of sexual abuse, you can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.