AADAR Blog

IT'S HIGH TIME TO TALK ABOUT MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH

 

by Harsh Shah on Oct 10, 2022

AADAR, AADAR FOR MEN, MENTAL HEALTH, WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY, MAN

Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being all contribute to our mental health. It has an impact on how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we deal with stress, interacts with others, and make decisions. Mental health is essential throughout life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.

If you have mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior may be affected throughout your life. Many factors contribute to mental health issues, such as:

  • Biological elements such as genes or brain chemistry
  • Adversities in life, such as trauma or abuse
  • A family history of mental illness

Some Early Warning Symptoms

Not sure if you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness? One or more of the following feelings or behaviors may indicate the presence of a problem:

  • Excessive or insufficient eating or sleeping 
  • Distancing from people and usual activities
  • Having little to no energy
  • Feeling numb or as if nothing is important
  • Experiencing unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless

These are just a few examples; there could be many more; all you need to do is be aware and seek advice from the right person at the right time.

Is it easy to ignore your mental health simply because you are a man? Men do not suffer from depression or other mental health issues, do they? Yes, but they are rarely given the space or the sensitivity to discuss it. The cultural expectation for them to be strong, stoic, and unwavering places undue pressure on them to always have it together.

Women, in general, find it easier to talk about their issues and problems, which makes discussing mental health challenges easier for them. In fact, society and culture are the primary culprits that force men to hide their emotions and weaknesses.

They are taught from childhood to be the moral, financial, and physical support of the family when they grow up. Our society has always portrayed men as the more powerful gender, one that is physically strong does not cry, and is emotionally stronger. This myth not only weakens men but also puts them under pressure to conform to society's ideals.

If they are diagnosed with a mental health illness, such as depression, anxiety, or another psychiatric illness, they try to blame themselves. Men should be able to recognize and seek professional help if they are experiencing symptoms of mental health issues or know someone who is. Early detection can assist them in better managing these symptoms.

According to research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one in every seven Indians suffers from mental health issues. Nearly 197 million Indians experienced mental health issues in 2017. Anxiety disorders affected 44.9 million people, while depression affected 45.7 million. When it comes to men's mental health, the situation becomes even direr because men's mental health issues are largely undocumented and unreported, which means that men rarely seek mental health treatment. According to National Mental Health Survey 2015-16, men use alcohol to mask their depression.

Nearly 70% of Calls to India's First National Mental Health Helpline Were From Men. On September 7, 2020, our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s government launched the KIRAN helpline. Between September 2020 and May 2021, the helpline received a total of 29,975 calls. 

According to government data, 69.9% of these calls were from men. Furthermore, 76.2 percent of callers were between the ages of 15 and 40, while 16.8 percent were between the ages of 41 and 60. During this time, the helpline received over 3,700 calls per month on average. A little more than half of these were related to depression and anxiety issues.

All About "KIRAN" Helpline

The helpline will address Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, Panic Attacks, Adjustment Disorders, Suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Psychological issues and mental health emergencies caused by the pandemic.

The 1800-500-0019 helpline will provide relief and support to people suffering from mental illnesses.

It will provide services for mental health rehabilitation. It serves as a lifeline, providing first-stage advice and counseling. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to BSNL's Technical Coordination. 

Some Mental Illness Facts in India

In India, 90 million (9 crore) people suffer from mental illness. Mental illness affects one out of every thirteen people in India.

According to the World Health Organization, India is "one of the most depressed countries."

- India has one of the world's highest suicide rates.

- More than 70% of people do not seek treatment.

- The *Covid-19* pandemic has exacerbated India's mental health crisis.

Some other lists of suicide crisis data you can go through. 

Mental health awareness is extremely low in India. As a result, many people suffer needlessly. There should be steps taken to increase the availability of support and care for men and to help them overcome the stigma associated with mental health issues. AADAR recognizes the significance of men's mental health issues and works to address them from the ground up.

We approach symptoms like binge drinking, smoking, and other coping mechanisms holistically and have a methodical treatment plan that not only cures addictions but also underlying psychological conditions.

At AADAR we give judgment-free consultation with keeping your identity unrevealed. We make the best possible way to treat any person naturally in an Ayurvedic way. We have Health Experts who can easily connect with you and discuss your sexual concerns. You can consult your family doctor first to get the most accurate diagnosis, or you can contact our Health Expert or connect with us at +919867667699.

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