As June comes to a close, Atlanta's focus on Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month sheds light on a critical issue: the silent crisis of male mental health. In Georgia, the surge in males grappling with anxiety, depression, and suicide is palpable. The National Institute of Mental Illness's 2021 figures reveal a disturbing trend, showing that while men may be diagnosed less often with depression or mental illness, they are still four times more likely to die by suicide nationally. From a local lens, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services has highlighted that 78% of the state's suicide deaths were males in 2018.
With stats like these, Atlanta-based organizations are stepping up to the plate, providing tailored mental health resources for men. Just For Men Behavioral Health, spearheaded by Eric Rodgers, commits to breaking down barriers to therapy for men of various ages. Regardless of the stigmas or communicative hurdles identified by Rodgers, the organization emphasizes foundational work that focuses on emotional articulation and coping with adversities. "When men reach out for help and want to talk about these issues, one, they could be met with the stigmas and people respond [by] kind of challenging them on their manhood," Rodgers told WABE. "Two, they’re speaking to another male who does not have the skills or the understanding to communicate and actually deal with that issue."
The complexities of this issue extend into the definition of 'manhood' and societal expectations, with CHIRS180's mental health therapist Taylor Anderson working closely with young men to customize treatment. Anderson, who targets 7 to 18-year-olds, is dedicated to fostering a sense of safety in expressing thoughts and navigating identity in a society rife with shifting norms. He acknowledges the impact social media and technology have on young men's identities, complicating their sense of self amid external pressures.
Particularly hard-hit are minority groups, including Black males and those within the LGBTQ community, as Rodgers discusses. Facing their own unique set of challenges within the larger context of male mental health, these individuals can find it even tougher to engage authentically with their emotions or seek support. "That ‘s a group that suffering is significant with mental health challenges as men because … they can’t necessarily talk to their everyday male friend or male person around them due to the nature of the discussions," Rodgers explained to WABE.
Despite the connectivity promised by social media, Anderson notes a paradox where young men feel more isolated than ever, missing out on fostering valuable interpersonal relationships. Adding to the isolation, Rodgers observes a trend where fewer men in their 30s and 40s are committing to enduring romantic relationships, often attributing it to not living up to entrenched standards of masculinity and economic success. Moreover, older men might develop addictive behaviors as coping mechanisms when faced with life's stressors, from family to finances.
However, 'a different approach' could pave the way for change. Both Anderson and Rodgers stress that beyond the persistent stigma, men are increasingly seeking mental health services, with positive results. "Sometimes finding a therapist is like finding a barber. You may have to test it out and see if that individual, that person is a good fit for you. And sometimes they may not be, but that doesn’t mean that therapy doesn’t work," said Rodgers. "It doesn’t mean you’re crazy, it doesn’t mean anything… we all need support," as reported by WABE.
