It's time to quash the stigma around men's mental health: Experts

Man up!’ ‘Boys don’t cry’; these are just some statements that men grow up hearing. We are supposed to always be tough, stoic and never express what we feel, because hey, that would make us look weak!” says Nikhil Taneja, mental health advocate and founder of a youth organisation, while bringing attention towards stifled discussions around men’s mental health. And this isn’t a random claim.

- Saptaparna Biswas

Since its inception in September 2020, India’s Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry-run helpline Kiran reported that about 70 per cent of the callers who sought help were men. The numbers clearly point towards the fact that men, dictated by age-old conventions telling them to ‘man up’, have suppressed their mental health issues

MEN MAY NOT CHANGE, BUT BOYS CAN’

Psychologists feel the shift in narrative needs to begin at the family level for a change to occur. “While it may be difficult for grown up men to acknowledge and accept their condition, young boys can grow up without that burden.Elders and parents at home need to rethink what they are letting the boys believe. They must validate their emotions and hear them out when needed,” says Nair.

For grown-ups, there has to be consistent sensitisation and awareness.“We need to tell them time and again that it’s okay to not feel okay. There’s no fear or shame in seeking help. We also need to make mental health more accessible while spreading awareness and letting an individual understand the worth of their wellbeing,” adds Suneja.