Toxic masculinity can be destructive to men's mental health

Jun 10, 2021
Healthcaretoday, father, single-father, dad, family life, suicide, mental health, emotional health, men's mental health, males, suicide deaths, emotions, mental illness, sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability, sleep problems, lost of interest, hobbies,
A 2021 report by Frontiers in Psychiatry revealed that suicide rates have increased significantly for males in Malaysia between 2014 and 2019.
Dr Celine Chan Tze Lin,
Consultant Psychiatrist, SMCV
​​While it is definitely important to take care of one’s physical health, mental and emotional health shouldn't be neglected as it contributes to the overall wellbeing. 

A 2021 report by Frontiers in Psychiatry revealed that suicide rates have increased significantly for males in Malaysia between 2014 and 2019. The figures showed that there was an average of 5.8 per 100,000 population – which is estimated to be 1,841 suicide deaths annually, with five deaths per day. These numbers are nothing short of alarming and should be taken seriously.

A majority of men are breadwinners of their family and may find it difficult to open up about their struggles relating to physical and mental health. This can lead to illnesses or diseases being left untreated and the worsening of their health.

Men who are unable to speak openly about their emotions may find it challenging to recognize symptoms of mental health problems themselves. Thus, they are less likely to reach out for support and may need the help of others close to them to see the signs.

Some signs that a friend or family member may have a mental illness and could need your help are feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability, sleep problems, no longer have interest in their hobbies and do not seem to enjoy anything anymore. When these feelings get very intense, last for a long period of time, and begin to interfere with work, and relationships, it may be a sign of a mental health problem.

Having a strong support system for men has many positive benefits, including better coping skills, reduce depression and anxiety and stress.

Without good support system, men may also be more likely to use unhealthy coping methods and less likely to talk to family or friends about their mental health. One way to convince more men to seek help is to make them understand that it is OK to seek help and talk to someone who could be trusted and cares for you to relieve stress.

Hospitals do provide mental health support in their specialized therapy departments in the form of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and clinical counsellors who can help patients along their journey to recovery.

​In addition to psychosocial support from the patient’s loved ones, peers and healthcare team, regular health check-ups and healthy habits such as exercise has also shown to drastically reduce mental health problems. 

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