The Silence Around Men’s Mental Health

Being in a boarding school environment, I often tell my peers about the importance of seeking help. From personal experience, I know firsthand the difficulties and struggles individuals face when they feel like they have to hide their emotions from those around them. Yet the stigma that men are supposed to suppress their emotions remains a part of American society. The National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2022 that nearly 1 in 5 men (19.7%) in the United States experience a mental health disorder. Yet, the National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2022 that only 41.6% of men with mental health disorders received some sort of care, while 56.9% of women with mental health disorders reported receiving treatment. As we move towards the future, I wonder how society can close the gap. These statistics emphasize the importance of mitigating these toxic masculinity traits. At Open The Male Box, we believe in the importance of providing young men with the spaces and resources to have these challenging conversations. Giving in to society's “male box” confines us to a harmful version of masculinity. I hope this blog encourages readers to seek help when needed and to serve as advocates for the importance of men's mental health in their own communities. 

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness 

Anxiety Among Male Athletes

The University of Clemson shares very interesting facts about men's mental health among athletes. For me, I know that I have a lot of anxiety during and before sports games, so learning about the technicality of anxiety with male athletes was very intriguing for me and I am sure many other male athletes. It is emphasized that the anxiety that male athletes face is not zeroed in on actual in-game sports. It could be related to pressure from family,coaches and the pressure they put on themselves. It could also be academically related because for a lot of male athletes and athletes in general, sports are the main source of being able to go to college. Because the perception of anxiety is different for every athlete, there is not really a true cure to this anxiety. For some people, therapy may work and for some people medication may work.

Now I want to talk about some of the main types of anxiety that Men will face in sports. This is pre and post competition anxiety. I want to establish that this is much different than being nervous before games(that is completely normal). Having consistent anxiety before games that affects your performance on the field can be detrimental to an athlete's mental health too. Pre competition anxiety is more of a wide range rather than butterflies before a big game. It could lead to  poor concentration, trouble sleeping, clenched jaws, sweaty palms, and increased breathing rates. This is not healthy and at times can stop a player from enjoying the sport they love. Post-competition anxiety can be a factor after completing a season or game of their sport, it is more likely to be effective if an athlete is injured. Injured athletes often will have such anxiety because they can not imagine what their lives would be like without playing their sport. There are many negative symptoms for Pre and Post competition anxiety and this type of anxiety is the most accurate predictor for an athlete's performance. 

What we lack is resources. For Injured  athletes, 89 percent of athletes rely on family support for their anxiety related to sports. I know that for athletes it would be so incredibly beneficial to have facilities and resources where athletes can deal with their anxiety pre and post competition. I know it would have especially helped me during the recruiting process of my sport, and I believe high level and pressured sports at the high school level and outside of school(club teams) should implement a program for athletes dealing with anxiety to go to. 

Source: https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/hlth3200baxter/chapter/anxiety-among-male-athletes/

Why Men Sharing Their Struggles is a Sign of Strength

Sharing stories about mental health is a powerful act of strength for men. When men open up about their experiences, they challenge societal norms that dictate silence and stoicism. These personal narratives can inspire others to seek help, fostering a supportive community. By speaking out, men demonstrate courage and resilience, showing that vulnerability is a part of true strength. This collective sharing helps to break down stigmas, making it easier for others to follow suit. Encouraging men to share their mental health journeys is essential in creating a culture of understanding and support, where seeking help is seen as a brave and commendable step. Throughout my mental health journey, I have always kept hidden. But I have learned that sharing my vulnerabilities has made me stronger as a man and has improved my mental health. Overall, as men we need to break that stigma and truly share with each other what we are going through, instead of keeping it in for nobody to see or hear our emotional journey