Men's Mental Health Month

Ryan Brennan • November 15, 2022

The brain is one of the most complex and important organs in the entire body. Along with the spinal cord, it makes up the central nervous system (CNS) and plays a role in virtually every process and function in the body – without it, life wouldn’t exist and none of us would be here.

For example, the brain helps regulate our thoughts, memory, breathing, motor skills, movement, touch, vision, emotion, hunger, temperature, speech, and much more. It’s true when they say the mind and body are connected – any damage to the brain will affect other areas of the body.

That’s why mental health awareness is so important today. While many people overlook and even avoid talking about mental health – especially among the male population – it could easily be the difference between life and death in some individuals. The good news is help is available.

When is Men’s Mental Health Month?

Men’s Mental Health Month is a national observance celebrated throughout the month of June. The observance is officially recognized by Mental Health America (MHA), one of the leading community-based nonprofits that addresses and promotes mental health awareness in the US.

Coincidentally, Men’s Mental Health Month and Men’s Health Month are both celebrated in June – they go hand-in-hand with one another. Together, the purpose of these observances is to raise awareness to the many health issues men face and prevent men's health issues from occurring.

Although Men’s Mental Health Month takes place in June, it’s important we continue to promote mental health awareness year-round. There’s no telling when mental health issues might arise and if we fail to treat them in a timely manner, those issues will only continue to grow worse.

Why is Men’s Mental Health Important?

Since men are culturally taught to ‘bottle up’ their emotions and ‘man up’ in situations that might make them appear weak, it’s no surprise that they’re more likely to avoid or decline mental health treatment. This is why men’s mental health awareness is so important in the world today.

“A lot of the responses that I’ve personally heard from men have been, ‘I’ve just kind of learned to deal with it,’ and unfortunately often dealing with it is a pretty negative coping mechanism,” said Katie Dolieslager, one of the talented residents in counseling with the ARROW Project.

5 Tips for Men’s Mental Health

Untreated mental health conditions can result in depression, unemployment, disability, substance abuse, homelessness, legal or criminal trouble, or even worse – suicide. With treatment, men can learn to understand their illness, cope with their symptoms, and avoid unwanted triggers.

At Good Samaritan, we want to see every man live a happy, healthy, rewarding, peaceful, and meaningful life. Although the road to happiness can be troubling for some, we’re going to share with you five of our most prominent tips for men that want to prevent mental illness!

1. Eat a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet

Much like every other organ in the body, the brain requires specific nutrients in order to function properly. Consider adding a lot of fruits, salmon, nuts, seeds, legumes, chicken, dark green leafy vegetables, whole grains, avocados, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to your daily diet.

2. Stay Physically Active & Exercise

Exercising helps release endorphins, which improve mood and well-being. Being physically active helps reduce anxiety, depression, self-esteem, confidence, and overall brain health and function. It doesn’t even need to be anything crazy, just 30 minutes of jogging every day will help prevent mental illnesses.

3. Meditate & Be More Mindful

It’s easy to get caught up in your day-to-day routine, but give yourself some time everyday to sit back and relax. Whether you choose to meditate, do yoga, listen to music, or sit and watch TV, don’t forget to give yourself a break once in a while – you deserve it, so take advantage of it.

4. Get Enough Quality Sleep Each Night

Speaking of taking a break, make sure you’re getting enough quality sleep each night – with a strong emphasis on the quality. This is your brain’s opportunity to recharge and prepare itself for the day ahead. You should be getting between 7-9 hours each night in favorable conditions.

5. Build a Strong Support System

There comes a time when everyone needs someone to talk to – and that’s when your support system comes into play. Whether it’s a friend, family member, primary doctor, therapist, mentor, or coach, you should have someone – if not several people – you trust with your emotions.

Facts & Statistics About Men’s Mental Health

Despite having an entire month dedicated to it, many people don’t understand just how bad male health is getting. Of course, that usually changes when they see the statistics:

Nearly six million American males are affected by depression every year
More than three million American males have a panic disorder or phobia
More than one million American men are affected by bipolar disorder
90% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia by age 30 are male
Men account for nearly 35% of all binge-eating disorders
Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death among men
Suicide among men has increased over the past two decades
The suicide rate among men is four-times higher than that of women
Nearly 20% of all men develop an alcohol use disorder

If you or someone you know is seeking treatment or needs help, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – it’s a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service. They can direct you to a nearby mental health professional.

Contact Good Samaritan Today!

Are you struggling to maintain a happy, healthy, and rewarding life? Do you feel out of place in the world today or feel like you’re falling behind in life? Do you feel like you should be getting more out of life? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then we want to help you.

At Good Samaritan Las Vegas, we take the time to understand the unique challenges men face on a daily basis. Through regular checkups, analysis of symptoms, a custom treatment plan, and monitoring progress, we can help you thrive – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

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