INDIA: For years, mental health has been a taboo topic in India, especially when it comes to men. The increasing struggle in India with Men’s Mental Health needed to be discussed openly.
The societal pressure to “man up” and hide any signs of weakness has led to a culture of silence surrounding men’s mental health issues. However, this trend is slowly changing as more men speak out about their struggles and seek help.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest suicide rate among men in the South-East Asian region. In 2019, suicide accounted for 7.5% of all deaths in India, with men comprising almost three-quarters of those deaths.
Experts attribute this high suicide rate to many factors, including poverty, lack of access to mental health care, and societal expectations for men to be strong and successful.
One of the main barriers to seeking help for mental health issues is the stigma surrounding it. Many men in India still believe that seeking help for mental health problems is a sign of weakness and that they should be able to handle their problems independently.
Lack of awareness about men’s mental health
The lack of awareness and understanding of mental health issues in the country further reinforces this mindset.
A study by the National Mental Health Survey of India found that almost half of the Indian population does not consider mental health problems a severe issue.
However, there are signs that this stigma is slowly breaking down. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to raise awareness about men’s mental health in India.
Celebrities, such as actor Deepika Padukone, have spoken openly about their mental health struggles and encouraged others to seek help.
In addition, several organisations, such as the Movember Foundation and Men’s Health Network, have launched campaigns to promote mental health awareness and encourage men to speak out about their struggles. The organisation sheds light on men’s mental health.
There have also been efforts to improve access to mental health care in India. The government has prioritised mental health in its National Health Policy, focusing on increasing the number of mental health professionals and providing more funding for mental health research.
In addition, several private organisations, such as the Mind Temple, have also stepped in to provide mental health care services to those in need.
Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go in addressing men’s mental health issues in India. Many men still do not have access to mental health care, particularly in rural areas.
In addition, the lack of mental health education and awareness means that many men do not even realise that they are struggling with mental health issues.
It is clear that more work needs to be done by society to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health in India and to ensure that men have access to the care they need.
By raising awareness, providing access to mental health care, and encouraging men to speak out about their struggles, we can create a society where men feel comfortable seeking help and getting the support they need.
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