Action Alerts /Thumbs up to esperanza magazine for article on men and depression
It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, blonde or brunette; depression affects many people. When it comes to discussions of gender and depression, the subject sways to women. But men have bouts with depression as well.
The mental health magazine esperanza is an uplifting periodical for readers diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Their recent article "One-Two Punch" looks at mental health stigma among men diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Not only are they dealing with stigma, but a hit to their manhood. Writer Jodi Helmer reports, "Because women are diagnosed with both disorders at twice the rate of men, depression and anxiety are often perceived as "girl troubles"—but the numbers could be deceptive."
Helmer cites a 2011 article on male depression from Canadian Family Physician by psychologist John Ogrodniczuk, PhD that found "lower incidence of depression among men could reflect their tendency to deny illness and their reluctance to talk to health-care providers about symptoms." And Dr. Ogrodniczuk argues these diagnoses impact how they perceive their manhood.
"It's not something I was comfortable talking about, " consumer Kevin S. told Helmer.
" Men are supposed to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and get things done, not feel sad and anxious all the time,” says Michael V, another consumer.
Jodi Helmer's article expands the discussion of mental health stigma by looking at how it affects people in relation to gender. This article may help men struggling with similar issues know they aren't alone.
Contact the editor at http://www.hopetocope.com/community/LetterToEditor.aspx
Take Action!
Dear Editor,
Thank you for publishing a very informative article about men and depression. Jodi Helmer's article "One-Two Punch" shows the domino effect stigma can have on a person. In the case of men, mental health stigma impacts their manhood as well. As Helmer writes in the feature, depression and anxiety are perceived as "girl troubles," when in fact men are affected with these challenges too. And the readers learn that men aren't diagnosed as often with these mental health conditions because often they're ashamed to discuss them with their doctors. I hope your article helps other men struggling with mental health stigma. Depression and anxiety are not "girl troubles" but human troubles that are possible to overcome.
Thank you.
