Movember, an annual November event, focuses on men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health challenges leading to increased male suicide rates. It began in Australia in 2003, encouraging men to grow moustaches, merging ‘moustache’ and ‘November.’ With over 1,320 funded men’s health projects worldwide, Movember highlights mental health awareness, prostate cancer research, and better access to men’s healthcare.
The 2022 National Population Health Survey highlighted a rise in poor mental health among Singapore residents, increasing from 13.4% in 2020 to 17% in 2022. That’s nearly 1 in 5 individuals facing mental health challenges. Despite increased awareness campaigns in November, are men truly recognising the need for mental health support?
A BBH Singapore survey showed that societal expectations perceive men as more emotionally resilient. Consequently, 53.2% of Singaporean men avoid seeking mental health support, believing in “handling it themselves.” Other reasons include self-reliance (44.4%), fear of appearing weak (43.5%), and underestimating mental health issues (38.6%).
Recognising stress symptoms in men is essential. Physical signs include chest pain, headaches, fatigue, and increased blood pressure. Unhealthy coping mechanisms, like excessive alcohol use and neglecting self-care, often accompany psychological symptoms such as sadness, sleep problems, irritability, and thoughts of self-harm.
In the ongoing fight for mental health awareness, Movember remains a crucial reminder not to neglect men’s emotional well-being. Here are some considerations if you’re grappling with emotional distress:
Review Your Coping Strategies:
Reflect on how you manage stress and handle emotions. Are there unresolved issues affecting your well-being, whether in relationships or personal thoughts? If so, it might be time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of your current coping methods.
Seeking Help Is Courageous:
Society may perceive seeking help as a sign of weakness, especially for men. However, it takes immense courage to ask for support. Seeking help is a testament to strength in masculinity itself. Remember, everyone needs assistance at some point in their lives.
Access Supportive Resources:
Men often shoulder numerous responsibilities and ensure things run smoothly. But who cares for their mental and emotional health? Take the time to nurture your well-being—lean on family and friends, dedicate time for self-care, pursue activities you love, or seek guidance from a coach or therapist to better manage stress and emotions.
While the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” it holds true that the severity of mental health issues accumulates over time. If you’re a man reading this and contemplating seeking support, taking that initial step could significantly impact your mental health journey positively. Your well-being deserves attention and care.
References:
Ganesan, N. (2023). Prevalence of poor mental health increasing in Singapore; young adults have highest proportion at 25.3%. CNA. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/poor-mental-health-young-adults-seek-help-moh-survey-3802531
Gouin, J. P., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2011). The Impact of Psychological Stress on Wound Healing: Methods and Mechanisms. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, 31(1), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iac.2010.09.010
Shaw, K. (2022). BBH Singapore’s Mental Health Campaign Breaks the Stigma by Telling Men to “Deal With It”. Campaign Brief Asia. Retrieved from https://campaignbriefasia.com/2022/11/18/bbh-singapores-mental-health-campaign-breaks-the-stigma-by-telling-men-to-deal-with-it/