As November gets underway, you might notice people in your life growing out the hair above their lip. For some, it’s a style choice. For others, it’s an intentional decision to promote awareness about men’s wellness issues. Since 2003, November has marked an opportunity to grow out a mustache, celebrate Movember (mustache + November), and call attention to major problems that can claim men’s lives. 

The Movember Foundation uses the month to call attention to a few cause areas, including prostate and testicular cancer. Today, though, we want to focus on one aspect of Movember that we feel is particularly pressing: men’s mental health. 

The state of men’s mental health

The Movember Foundation reports that as a global average, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day. And in the U.S., four out of five suicides are men. That loss of life underscores just how important it is to raise awareness about mental health concerns among men.

Compounding that is the fact that men are less likely to seek out mental health support. Per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are almost twice as likely to get mental health treatment. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America says that one in 10 men deal with some form of anxiety or depression, but less than half seek treatment. 

Taken together, that high suicide rate and low mental health treatment rate tells us that something needs to change in the world of men’s mental health. We want to use Movember to call attention to the fact that many men experience mental health challenges, and options are available to help them.

What to do this Movember

Evaluate your own mental health, particularly if you identify as a man. Men are often told to toughen up and grind through. Weakness and vulnerability have historically been discouraged. 

But it’s time for that to change. Going to the doctor for treatment for a physical health condition isn’t weak. It’s smart. Going to a therapist for mental health treatment is no different. It’s taking proactive steps to be the healthiest, strongest, most resilient man you can be. 

While mental health challenges affect both men and women and often exhibit the same symptoms no matter the individual, there are some warning signs more commonly attributed to men. Be on the lookout for symptoms like:

• Aggressiveness
• Feeling flat
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in things you used to care about
• Persistent worry/stress

If you notice changes in your mood or energy levels or have unexplained physical symptoms like digestive problems or headaches, they could also point toward a mental health challenge. 

If any of that sounds familiar, you can be a part of busting the stigma around men’s mental health. Instead of becoming a statistic, reach out for the treatment you need. To talk with a mental health expert about your options, contact us at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center in Ventura or the West Valley Counseling Center in Tarzana.