20-06-2017 07:19 PM
20-06-2017 07:19 PM
I think men are less likely to seek help --- that very true @soul
20-06-2017 07:21 PM
20-06-2017 07:21 PM
Welcome @Former-Member and @soul. Yes, there's also the classic stereotype about men being unwilling to ask for directions. That must play through in terms of general help-seeking. My partner has some mental health challenges and he'll go so far as to talk to his GP but won't go near a Counsellor. And I'm a Psychologist 🙂 There's probably an insult in there somewhere!
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
For sure. That is actually a really common example of the type of stuff that men tend to worry about when they're not feeling 100% with their mental health. We're talking about literally thousands of years that men have been feeling these expectations to be the provider and to be the one that everyone can depend on. That's how things have been done for most of time until about 70 years ago really. That's why we've gotta just slowly chip away at those concepts...Because they're just not real. Yes, everyone has responsibilities...But the human being also matters too, not just what's expected of them. But the best advise that anyone ever shared with me about men seeking help is...A man is most effective in the role of being the provider when he's at his best; healthy and well. So rather than going along and not addressing this issue and seeing things worsen, the better option is to acknowledge that theres issues there to be worked through in order to get back to wellness...back to your best. Then, in fact, we're more effective generally at doing all those things like being the provider because we've addressed the issue rather than just ignoring it and pressing on. It's really important to accept all the help that is out there when addressing mental health...sounds like there's progress...just gotta keep going.
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
20-06-2017 07:23 PM
Things do seem to be improving though with increased awareness of mental health issues amongst men, especially when high profile males go public about their struggles or unfortunately end up in tragic circumstances.
20-06-2017 07:24 PM
20-06-2017 07:24 PM
Linking illness to violence is such a mistake isn't it @redheaded. In reality people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than to hurt anyone else. But where that stigma exists it'll stop men from putting up their hands for help.
20-06-2017 07:26 PM
20-06-2017 07:26 PM
@Glen-MensLineAu, @Former-Member
my husband has had lots and lots of jobs which has failed because of his MI
then we decided to go self employed , we are on a very low income because sometimes i have to rearrange jobs and ring cusomers that we can`t come today which upset him but we have good customers
we have had to cut back on work many times
20-06-2017 07:26 PM
20-06-2017 07:26 PM
Yes, the Buddy Franklin and Grant Hacket effect @soul. Just to mention two. I'm always so pleased when high profile sports people in particular talk publically. It makes it more possible for others to disclose even within that macho culture.
20-06-2017 07:28 PM
20-06-2017 07:28 PM
20-06-2017 07:29 PM
20-06-2017 07:29 PM
Yes seeking help & support is hard. Perhaps I do that less than I could (or am somewhat reluctant).
However, I have reached out many times, & the response has more often been cold & disinterested (not here, in the general community). I'm told that I'm very self-aware, yet that is not enough.
People need people, for good mental health, I believe. I see a psychologist, & it's something that I consider to be necessary & helpful.
However my experiences with psychologists of different genders has been very different. So that is something that I need to consider carefully before going to a psychologist (or seeking help).
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