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.
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