Let’s discuss the mental health of males. November is the month designated for Men’s Mental Health. Men’s Health Awareness Month is dedicated to bringing awareness to a wide range of men’s health issues.

As per WHO, around 703000 people die by suicide every year. Men commit suicide at a rate that is more than twice as high as women do worldwide. Rates of suicide are higher among men while women are reportedly more prone to suicidal thoughts. Given that about 3 out of every 4 suicides worldwide are by men, or a factor of 3:1, the majority of the above-mentioned nations record greater male suicide rates. Rates of suicide are higher among men, which has been described as a “silent epidemic”.

Suicide methods

• Firearms
  One of the most popular suicide techniques used worldwide is using a firearm. They are to blame for about 8% of all suicide deaths worldwide. But in certain nations, they are considerably more important.
  
  
• Poisoning
  Suicide by poisoning, also called self-poisoning, is usually classed as a drug overdose when drugs such as painkillers or recreational drugs are used. Another common method of suicide is deliberate poisoning from pesticides especially in low-to-middle income countries.
  
  

• Suffocation
  It includes strangulation and hanging. Suicide by suffocation involves restricting breathing or the amount of oxygen taken in, causing asphyxia and eventually hypoxia.
  
  
• Jumping
  Although the least common method of suicide, it occurs when people jump from a building or bridge or high rise place.
  
  
• Drowning
  Suicide by drowning is the act of deliberately submerging oneself in water or other liquid to prevent breathing.
  
  

• Cutting and stabbing
  A deadly wrist self-inflicted wound is referred to as a “deep wrist injury,” and it is sometimes preceded by many hesitant efforts to breach the skin’s surface known as “hesitation wounds,” which suggest indecision or a self-harm strategy. For every suicide by wrist cutting, there are many more nonfatal attempts, so that the number of actual deaths using this method is very low.
  
  
• Collision with or of a vehicle
  Another suicide method is to lie down, or throw oneself, in the path of a fast-moving vehicle, either on the road or onto railway tracks.

Risk factors

• Mental disorders
  The most significant risk factors for suicide are generally acknowledged to be depression and other mood disorders. It has been reported that 98% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental disorder.
  
  

• Economic recession
  According to data, rising unemployment is associated with rising suicide rates.
  
  

• Media coverage of suicide
  Numerous empirical investigations have discovered a correlation between media reporting of suicide and an increase in suicides, or “copycat” behavior.
  
  

• Daylight patterns
  Many studies have found that suicide rates vary seasonally, with spring and summer exhibiting the highest rates.
  
  

• Alcohol use
  Alcohol abuse is strongly linked to death by suicide.

Why the Suicide Rate in Men Differs

1. Traditional male gender roles discourage emotional expression. 
Men are told that they need to be tough and shouldn’t require assistance. Men may find it challenging to reach out and ask for help when they need it because of such strict gender stereotypes.

2. Depression may be underdiagnosed in men. 

Men often do not disclose feelings of depression to their doctors. When they do, it’s frequently referred to as having interpersonal or professional issues. Men also tend to describe their feelings as “stress” rather than sadness or hopelessness.

3. Men are less likely to seek help for emotional problems. 
According to research, males are less likely to have depression recognized because they have a tendency to downplay their condition, keep an eye on their symptoms, and self-medicate.

4. Men may be more likely to self-treat symptoms of depression with alcohol and other substances.

5. Communication
Women are typically better communicators when it comes to mental health, able to share their sentiments with others as opposed to choosing to keep their feelings to themselves. Men don’t speak up about mental health issues. When asked why they don’t speak up, the biggest reasons  mentioned were:

• • ‘I’ve learnt to deal with it’

  • ‘I don’t wish to be a burden to anyone’

  • ‘I’m too embarrassed’

  • ‘There’s negative stigma around this type of thing’

6. Financial pressures
When pressures in your life are especially intense, many of the reasons above play a role that makes men more vulnerable to suicide. Men have a tendency to view themselves as a failure if they are not able to provide for their families.

When workplace stigmas, an unwillingness to speak up, and the risk of substance abuse combine with a drastic change in someone’s life, the risk of suicide can increase dramatically. 

Spotting the Signs of Suicidal Ideation 

It can be hard to identify when someone is thinking about taking their life (known as suicidal ideation or suicidal thoughts). If you have concerns about someone, observe their personality and keep an eye out for the following:

• A discernible change in their attitude. Even a more relaxed demeanor can be reason for concern since it may indicate that the person has made their decision and is content with it.
  
  
• Extreme levels of despair or hopelessness about life.
  
  
• Talking about, writing, or researching death or suicide.
  
  
• Saying goodbye to family and friends
  
  
• Withdrawing from friends and family.
  
  
• Purchasing something which could be used for suicide, such as a knife, or saving pills.
  
  
• High levels of anxiety or agitation.
  
  
• Excessive alcohol use or drug abuse.
  
  

Mens’ mental health conditions often manifest in symptoms such as:

• • Aggression and violence

• • High-risk activities

• • Substance abuse

• • Physical issues, such as chronic headaches or stomachaches

• • Feelings of restlessness and difficulty focusing

• • Appetite and weight changes

• • Fatigue

• • Obsessive thinking
    
    

Prevention and control

Suicides are preventable. To stop suicide and suicide attempts, a variety of actions can be performed at the community, subpopulation, and individual levels. Approach to suicide prevention, recommends the following key effective evidence-based interventions:

• • Limit access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications);

• • Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide;

• • Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents;

• • Early identify, assess, manage and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviours
    
    Together, they must support the following fundamental pillars: situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness-raising, capacity-building, funding, surveillance, and monitoring and evaluation.
    
    Multiple societal sectors, including the health sector as well as others like education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, defense, politics, and the media, must coordinate and work together to prevent suicide. The complexity of the suicide issue necessitates a multifaceted solution, thus these efforts must be extensive and interconnected.
    
    
    

    Treatment

    Today’s treatments for mental health issues are efficient and widely accessible. Many people who have had suicidal thoughts also have depression or another diagnosable mental health disorder.
    
    

    The following are some treatments for mood disorders like sadness and anxiety:

• • Residential treatment: An intensive residential stay in a purpose-built hospital where you receive round-the-clock treatment away from the distractions of normal life.

• • Therapy: Sessions where you discuss the difficulties in your life and any underlying causes, while developing new through processes to allow you to move beyond them.

• • Medication: Used to help limit symptoms and complement other treatments. With depression, for example, antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used.
    
    
    
    

    Signs it’s a good idea to seek therapy include if you’ve:

• • felt more irritable than normal

• • been having angry outbursts of aggression

• • felt low or down

• • felt overwhelmed or like you’re under a lot of pressure

• • lost or gained weight unexpectedly

• • been drinking or using drugs more often than you normally would

• • been relying on alcohol or drugs to get through a difficult time

• • lost interest in things you normally enjoy

• • been having trouble focusing at work, school, or at home

• • had more headaches or days feeling generally unwell

• • been sleeping too much or too little

• • felt worn out or exhausted even after a good night’s sleep
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Reference
    Kennard. (2022, October 3). Understanding the Suicide Rate in Men. Verywell Mind. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/men-and-suicide-2328492

    Ritchie, H., Roser, M., & Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2015). Suicide. Our World in Data. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://ourworldindata.org/suicide

    Suicide. (2021, June 17). World Health Organization. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide

    Why are suicides so high amongst men? (n.d.). Priory. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from http://www.priorygroup.com/blog/why-are-suicides-so-high-amongst-men