Guest Column: "Us too," men's mental health matters
This is a submitted column and does not reflect the opinions of the Pacer Times staff. Students that wish to submit guest columns or letters to the editor should reach out to Opinions Editor Paige Singer (prsinger@usca.edu) or Pacer Times’ official email (pacertimes@usca.edu)
Boys are taught from a young age that anything other than confidence, strength and composure is too emotional or that showing emotion is considered “girly.” This is a big reason why men’s mental health and emotions are downplayed by society.
Throughout life men are taught that only certain emotions are acceptable to show, unlike women who are allowed to express a wide range of emotion. Men are forced to deal with our emotions and mental health privately due to this stigma, which is extremely harmful.
According to the American Psychological Association, the suicide rate in men is four times higher than it is for women. Likely this is because getting help for depression and mental health is more normalized with women. They are taught to get help for their depression. On the other hand, men are taught to be independent and they end up between a rock and a hard place with built up emotions they feel they can’t let out.
Growing up I learned my emotions and mental health in today’s society means nothing. There have been too many times my mom told me to grow up or be a man when I have been hurt. If we could create an environment that is safer for men to express our emotions – the same way women are allowed to express theirs – we would see a drop in the depression rate in men. If men could have a safe space to admit we are not okay I believe it would save lives.
How are men supposed to understand what they’re feeling when their mental health struggles constantly feel neglected in society? If our emotions weren’t so downplayed, and men weren’t expected to be strong and stoic, we could create a more positive environment for the young men coming into this world. If men learned how to express their emotions instead of bottle them, they would be able to grow into better men. We need to be teaching men how to express their emotions in a healthy way and allow them to do so.
If you are struggling with depression, please reach out to USCA’s Counseling Center. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and their phone number is (803) 641-3609.
