Challenging stereotypes surrounding male mental health
Just like a physical illness, mental illness has its own share of symptoms. But just like a physical illness, mental illnesses can also be treated, provided that proper methods of treatment are followed. This is more so true when it comes to male mental health.
Gender stereotypes and norms around masculinity are proving to be challenging for those who identify as male to access psychosocial care. This increases the risk of mental illness, self-harm and suicide, not to mention, alcohol and substance abuse as well as violence. Ranil Thilakarathne, the manager of the crisis hotline 1333, adds that while the majority of their callers are females, the suicide rates in the country lean more towards the males, in a disturbing balance.
Most of us would think that male mental health stems from a cultural background. Ranil says, looking back at the island wide bikeathons 1333 does, “Men are not supposed to have feelings, men are not supposed to cry, men are not supposed to have even a concept of mental health. If men show emotion, men are women,” is the general consensus among those in most communities they interact with.
However, that’s not the whole story. “The stigma around male mental health isn’t just cultural, but it is also to do with conditioning, and adhering to gender norms that can potentially be harmful,” Nivendra Uduman, counseling psychologist said. He emphasizes that the effects of toxic masculinity, gender stereotypes, and unhealed generational trauma can be harmful. However, that doesn’t mean that these attitudes and beliefs cannot be unlearnt. With the right support, education and role models, boys can unlearn certain traits and relearn a healthy sense of masculinity.
But unlearning these traits is not something that can be done overnight. In order to improve the state of male mental health, we have to change the way we address it. It is believed a multi- disciplinary approach be implemented where health professionals, educational institutions, legal professionals, etc come together to look at systems that are male friendly, non-pathologizing and that’s informed by evidence and best practices.
Men must also be free to talk about their feelings, experiences and dreams, in a safe, non-judgmental environment. “If we were able to normalize cancer, which was taboo a few decades ago, then we can normalize mental health,” Ranil says with optimism.
Nivendra shares that existing gender norms and stereotypes must be challenged, and encouragement to raise healthy, empathetic boys with a healthy sense of self-esteem, self respect and masculinity. This, he says must start in pre-school with aspects that touch on gender, mental health etc. Adding that everyone needs to be able to be comfortable living in their own skin.