Dr RG Wiseman Pinto
November is observed as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in the UK and Australia, while November 19 is celebrated as International Men’s Day.
Men’s mental health deserves attention alongside physical health. These occasions provide an opportunity to recognise the mental and emotional challenges faced by boys and men and to encourage support.
A person’s health includes physical health, mental health, emotional well-being and spiritual health. Most people concentrate on physical fitness and medical check-ups, but mental and emotional health are equally important, particularly in today’s fast-paced, competitive and stressful world. This is why global health agencies have launched awareness programmes during November to highlight men’s mental health.
The awareness must extend to boys, adolescents, teenagers and adult men. Peer pressure can have a strong influence on young boys. They need good friends and a supportive social circle. Without this, some may fall into bad company and take up smoking, alcohol or narcotics. Such habits can damage their lives and create social and economic difficulties for their families.
Young people are also exposed to a great deal of online information and misinformation. They need guidance to assess what they read and watch. Suicides are four times more common in males. This makes it particularly important to recognise distress and ensure that boys and men have access to support.
Substance abuse, including alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, can lead to addiction once these habits begin. In many cases, addiction has a genetic and epigenetic basis. Young people may also show aggression, violence, a quick temper, anger or irritability. Anxiety, depression and burnout are other concerns. Some boys withdraw from others and isolate themselves. These signs should not be ignored.
Awareness and counselling are essential. Safe spaces must be created in homes, schools, colleges, professional institutes and other settings. Boys and men should feel able to speak about their difficulties without fear of judgement. Families, teachers and institutions all have a role in listening, recognising warning signs and helping them seek appropriate support.
Young people in India are facing a mental health crisis. In a study of mental health across 84 countries, India ranked 60th. The study included 78,000 Indian young people aged 18 to 34 years. India’s Mental Health Quotient score was 33. The Mental Health Quotient includes parameters such as emotional control, focus, resilience, relationships, thinking and recovery from stress. In other words, it reflects how a person handles life.
Several measures can help address these concerns. First, reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast foods, as well as foods containing preservatives, chemicals and additives. Second, tackle obesity. Third, encourage an active lifestyle and participation in outdoor sports. Fourth, restrict the use of digital devices, smartphones and screens. Screen addiction is common and excessive use needs attention. Fifth, provide emotional training and counselling in schools and colleges.
Mental health involves thinking, emotions, mood and behaviour. Warning signs may include feeling sad or empty, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, mood swings and reduced concentration. Fear, worry and panic may also occur. These difficulties can affect a person’s ability to work and remain productive. Work and productivity can become a liability when mental well-being is neglected. Unhappiness, stress and competition can also contribute to rising violence and crime.
There are several pressures behind this unhappiness. Digital overuse and constant comparison with others can affect self-esteem. The erosion of values, economic difficulties, unemployment, the rising cost of living and unhealthy work cultures add to the burden. These problems must be recognised rather than dismissed.
It is the moral duty of society to care for boys and men who are struggling and to create a safe, healthy and happy environment. Men’s mental health should not be neglected or treated as a secondary concern. Awareness, understanding, counselling and supportive surroundings can help individuals and families face these challenges. Early attention, open conversations and timely counselling can prevent difficulties from becoming overwhelming.
(The writer is a Professor of Pathology, former Head of Department at Goa Medical College, former Dean of Goa University, and the current President of the Asian Society of Cytopathology.)
