It’s men’s health week! Let’s talk about mental health.
On this eve of Father’s Day, it seems appropriate to highlight some men’s mental health statistics about depression.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health and Mental Health America, over 6,000,000 males struggle with depression, and the actual number could be even higher as male depression often goes undiagnosed. Men ages 35-64 years have the highest risk of suicide.
Men are more likely to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies instead of sadness or feelings of worthlessness. Some symptoms to watch out for include:
Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
Increased worry or feeling stressed
Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
Sadness or hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts
Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
Engaging in high-risk activities
Aches, headaches, digestive problems without a clear cause
Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people
If you or anyone you know are struggling with these feelings, I urge you please to seek professional help. For more resources, please visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage here.
Shivani Chopra, MD 