In most parts of our world, the "perfect man" is frequently what causes a man to suffer the most. As a male, you are expected to be tough, not weep, and be the breadwinner. This leads to other difficulties, such as being expected to be a father, like sports, and avoiding sharing your feelings since doing so would be too "womanly".
Men rarely show emotions because they don't want to be tagged as being “girly/feminine”.
Males are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with mental diseases that impact their emotions, such as depression, or those that come from peer and societal pressure, such as eating disorders.
As defined by WHO, "self-care interventions are tools which support the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain overall health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.
Here are 4 ways self-care interventions can benefit men’s health.
Firstly, it can help improve their personal health. Men who are struggling with their health may feel depressed and hesitant to try something new to improve it. Self-care intervention programs help motivate these men to not give up. They feel inspired to make changes or improve on their habits. These men who were so down at some point and not ready to try anything new eventually pick themselves up and do something better for themselves.
Secondly, it can help improve their personal relationships. Men's mental and physical health can be improved through self-care programs, in part due to the impact they can have on their personal relationships. Educating men on some self-care activities they can do when they are depressed or anxious helps them to relate with their close associates better, rather than having to transfer their depressed or anxious state onto them.
Thirdly, it helps increase their knowledge of medical and educational platforms. Selfcare intervention programs that inform men about the availability of telemedicine and digital platforms for mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and emotional wellbeing afford men a greater chance to find accessible education tailored to their experience.
When men realize they can find solutions to these problems and can still have some privacy, it makes them more comfortable. Most men find it difficult to reach out when they are going through mental health problems because of societal taboos. The internet has proven to be the go-to source of information for most of these men.
Lastly, it can help boost their confidence. Self-care intervention programs that educate men to reach out for help when they are going through mental health challenges can help boost men’s confidence. Empowering them to be comfortable to ask for help when needed. They will no longer hide behind their smiles and sometimes alcohol when going through problems. They will be able to find help for their problems and not have to be shy about it.
Suicide in men has become very common due to society's opinion on men expressing or showing emotions. The suicide rate of men will continue to increase if we don’t listen to them and encourage self-care intervention strategies. As expected and allowed of everyone else, men should be able to show and express their emotions when they need to.
Due to social expectations and gender roles, men who suffer from mental health issues are less likely to talk about or seek help. Additionally, men may be more likely to use potentially harmful coping mechanisms such as drugs or alcohol and less likely to talk to friends or family about their mental health.
Self-care interventions programs help improve men’s health in general. If more of these programs are created, it will help men and society as a whole. Men have been expected to keep quiet for so long. They deserve to speak on their emotional and mental challenges and be heard with out judgement, they deserve to show emotions when they are going through problems without the fear of labelling, they deserve to have therapy normalized for them as well and they deserve to be taken care of, holistically.
Dear Mr. reading this, it is very okay to ask for help when you need any. It's very okay to show emotions when you feel like it. Don’t let society box you in, which outdated archaic taboos and beliefs about how you should or should not express yourself. Or even about how much you are expected to "take as a man". We need you alive, present, and functioning at your capacity, healthily. We love you. I love you.
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