Emotional Wellbeing for Men – An article by Riddhima Sen

Emotional well being is something which is crucial for each and every human being . Be it a man or a woman , the body and the mind need to coordinate properly in order to lead a fulfilling life. Recently, we have seen a lot of people talk about the mental well being of women on the occasion of Women’s Day , referring to issues like postpartum depression and depression due to uncomfortable situations post marriage. But , people rarely talk about the mental well being of men .

It is extremely and insanely humane to feel low at times , on gloomy days when the sky is filled with dark clouds. Societal stereotypes make it hard for both men and women to live to the fullest . Stereotypes like being masculine , not showing emotions publicly and being cold and not” empathetic” may take a heavy toll on the mental well being of men . In a patriarchal country like India, even more, the bread winner of an average family is the father. The load of earning enough amount to suffice sustenaince lies on the shoulders of the man .

They are treated like a machine which gives money whenever needed . In fact , an unemployed young man is often looked down upon by his own family members . Men are often sought after by women who take a certain kind of liking to wealth . Although the idea behind this is something which is gender neutral( it goes both ways ) , it does happen in real life . It will be better if there is a way for men to talk about their mental health ( be it anxiety, depression or anything) without shying away and consult help when needed . Irritability,sudden anger,increased loss o control,risk- taking and aggression are some signs of depression in men . These situations often lead to substance abuse as well . Indulging in alcohol and drugs may seem to be a way to feel better and motivated in such situations as well .