“A man may conquer a million men in battle, but one who conquers himself is, indeed, the greatest of conquerors.” — Buddha, a spiritual figure.
The whole society thinks a man should conquer himself in all manners, which is not true in every aspect. They always believe that men must take care of themselves by themselves. The above quote is very much true that one must conquer himself before conquering the whole battle. But this is very much difficult for most of the men. So, the article is for those men.
Men’s emotional health faces several unique challenges and issues. Some of the common ones include:
1. Social expectations and stereotypes:
Society often expects men to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant, which can create pressure to suppress or downplay emotions. Men may feel discouraged from expressing vulnerability or seeking help, fearing being perceived as weak or less masculine. It is always expected of men to perform all works that cannot only run the family but also fulfil all of their requirements.
2. Mental health stigma:
A persistent stigma surrounding mental health affects both men and women. However, men may face additional barriers due to the expectation of emotional resilience. This stigma can prevent men from seeking help, leading to untreated mental health conditions. In our society, men are always accepted to tolerate every hardship of their own. But one must know that Mental Health Matters too, only physical health is not everything.
3. Underdiagnosis and underreporting:
Men may be less likely to seek professional help for mental health issues. They may downplay or dismiss their symptoms, leading to underdiagnosis and underreporting of conditions such as depression, anxiety, or other emotional disorders. it is also because of the peer pressure from society that they never accept the issues of mental health problems.
4. Higher suicide rates:
Men tend to have higher rates of completed suicides compared to women. This may be attributed, in part, to the reluctance to seek help and the tendency to internalize emotional distress, leading to a higher risk of untreated mental health conditions. If anyone discusses his problems with others, this will further reduce the issues of suicide.
5. Limited emotional literacy:
Due to societal norms and upbringing, some men may have limited emotional literacy, needing more tools and vocabulary to understand and express their emotions effectively. This can lead to difficulties in managing and communicating their feelings. every female undergoes the guidance of their mothers on how to behave in society, but this is not the case with boys, no one educates them about how to behave or tolerate the pressure from society. We have to learn this by ourselves.
6. Relationship challenges:
Poor emotional health can impact romantic and platonic relationships. Difficulties in expressing emotions and connecting on an emotional level may strain relationships and prevent deeper emotional intimacy. Men can even don’t know how to work within relationships.
7. Substance abuse and risky behaviours:
Some men may turn to substance abuse or engage in risky behaviours as unhealthy coping mechanisms for managing emotions. These behaviours can further exacerbate mental health issues and contribute to a cycle of emotional distress. the society of male friendship often works on the grounds of drinking and smoking, which can further go into substance abuse. this can harm the whole identity.
Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach that involves challenging societal expectations, promoting emotional literacy, creating safe spaces for open dialogue, and breaking down mental health stigma. It’s vital to foster an environment where men feel comfortable seeking help, accessing support, and developing healthy emotional coping strategies. This is the need of the hour men should also feel free to communicate that
“mard ko bhi dard hota hai.”
