Mental Health America (MHA) recognizes June as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Although women have difficulty surrendering to care, poor stigma and hurtful stereotypes can also make many men feel hesitant to move forward with support. It is important to bring awareness to men’s mental health to encourage men to seek care and gain a stronger sense of self-worth for a strong recovery. Fortunately, Avalon Malibu provides both men and women with a safe and supportive environment for ongoing healing.
How Can Stigma Affect Men’s Mental Health?
Gender norms are often constructed by society, making men feel pressure to act a certain way to be accepted socially. Although some men may be aware that they need help, they may fear hurtful judgment from family, friends, and peers. For example, it is common for some men to dread being perceived as unmasculine for surrendering to professional care. Mental health stigma can be defined by the public having an unfair response to one’s mental health condition.
Stigma can have profound and wide-reaching risks beyond the primary condition itself. Discrimination or disapproval can further damage one’s mental health. Many individuals who face problems with negative stigma from others experience suicidal ideation. It is common for some individuals to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. The effects are only temporary and can further worsen one’s mental health, leading to a dual diagnosis. For example, one may have depression and co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD). Although a dual diagnosis can be very challenging to treat, it is not impossible.
The Importance of Bringing Awareness to Men’s Mental Health
According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, fortunately, stigma research has studied different ways to decrease public stigma and manage strategies that support men experiencing problems with mental illness. Regardless of whether others feel one is weak for seeking help, it is crucial for an individual to stay strong and move forward with treatment. Doing so may increase an individual’s odds of establishing a more positive outcome. Equality and Inclusion are crucial to provide additional support and feelings of acceptance so all men can feel an increased sense of hope and gain a better quality of life.
Statistics on Men’s Mental Health
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), both men and women experience problems coping with their mental health. However, men are more likely to pass away due to suicide than women. Some men experience certain symptoms that women do not. For example, the course of one’s condition can be affected by the individual’s sex, as several psychosocial and biological factors can impact an individual’s state of health. Early intervention increases treatment efficacy. Therefore, it is crucial for men to fight the stigma and seek care as soon as they start noticing symptoms.
Combining All of One’s Elements for a Whole-Person Approach
Avalon Malibu provides adults facing problems with stigma with a safe and supportive environment. Their mental health team works to promote stabilization and a healthy healing process. Avalon Malibu offers several different methods to treat SUD and various mental health conditions.
Feeling defeated by a failed treatment plan can worsen men’s mental health. At Avalon Malibu, their clients do not have to choose a particular approach to recovery. Apart from other treatment facilities, they provide a tailored individualized treatment plan that combines all of an individual’s elements. This saves one from wasting much-needed time with trial and error.
The Benefits of Holistic Treatment
Knowing inclusion is important for men’s mental health, Avalon Malibu supports holistic medicine as well for clients who are seeking a more whole-person approach. Happiness is a choice at Avalon Malibu. Natural medicine has evolved over the years and is truly unique. Holistic care includes enjoyable methods for a less intense path forward. Everyone deserves to heal from hurtful stigma and damaging stereotypes. Sometimes, combining traditional forms of care with an array of holistic therapy options can enhance an individual’s treatment efficacy. Advantages of holistic care include:
- Fewer side effects
- Cost-effective
- Increased energy levels
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Increased motivation
- Personalized attention
Breaking Down Treatment Options to Improve Men’s Mental Health With Avalon Malibu
It can be helpful for some men facing challenges with stigma to not only work one-on-one with a trained specialist but also confide with others. Exploring different opportunities, such as group work and fun activities, can promote mental health awareness, and provide a strong support system. Peer support can also decrease feelings of suicidal ideation and reduce male suicide rates. Collaborating with others can offer new strategies for much-needed comfort and relief from hurtful mental illness discrimination. Different forms of care at Avalon Malibu that work to support inclusion for men’s mental health include:
- Couples and family therapy
- Non- 12-Step support groups
- 12-Step support groups
- Alumni support groups
- Didactic groups
- Group psychotherapy
- Seasonal ropes course
- Art, music, and writing therapy
- Yoga and meditation
- Physical fitness
When you join us at Avalon Malibu, one of the first steps we take is to evaluate your mental health. We believe that it can hold some responsibility for other problems you may be experiencing, such as addiction or co-occurring disorders. Mental health disorders are diagnosable medical conditions that interfere with an individual’s feelings, moods, thinking patterns, relationships, and ability to function normally on a day-to-day basis. Here at Avalon Malibu, we understand that mental health stigma can cause more harm to an individual’s mental illness. We focus on treating our mental health clients by teaching them ways to cope with stigma and helping them take control of their disorder. Call us at (844) 857-5992 for support.
