Source: Central Jersey.com
PART ONE
As a way of managing stress and feeling supported and connected, most individuals seek out a friend or family member to talk through their fears and concerns. Some men, though, find they don’t have that type of support, so they cope in other ways to achieve those same feelings.
Consider that 66 percent of men said they rarely talked about the impact COVID-19 has had on their mental health, according to A Cleveland Clinic survey. Moreover, men with mental illnesses are less likely to seek care than women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
By not opening up and discussing their feelings, men can experience more isolation as time goes on, and, as a result, even more stress, anxiety, and depression.
This can be further complicated by the dominant role that social media plays in people’s lives. While technology can serve to bring people together, it can also sow division and cause people to lose their sense of belonging, leading to even deeper feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Many men who have trouble coping with stress simply aren’t sure how to adapt to the changes happening around them or how to meet expectations of a changing world. Often, they’re not sure how to ask for help, or where to start.
Men who are struggling with stress should seek professional support if:
• The thought of resuming activities they once enjoyed results in dread or nervousness and keeps them from reengaging.
• Fear or anxiety that their emotional state will be “exposed” prevents them from resuming prior activities.
It is also important to note that men are more likely to report fatigue, irritability, and loss of interest in work or hobbies rather than feelings of sadness and worthlessness. More than 6 million men suffer from depression each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Through group therapy and other services, Princeton House Behavioral Health offers men an opportunity to connect with peers who are facing similar struggles. These connections enable men to relax and open up about their feelings so they can heal.
By better understanding what causes stress, developing reasonable expectations, accepting limitations and learning how to express emotions in a healthy way, men can become better equipped to face stressful situations in the future and recognize they don’t have to pretend that everything is OK all of the time.
For more information about Princeton House’s specialized services for men, visit PrincetonHouse.org/Men or call 1-888-437-1610.