Men’s mental health: An invisible crisis

Context: Study shows that men tend to approach mental health issues and seek help
less than women do. In fact, mental health problems such as depression,
anxiety, and suicidal ideation are prevalent among men. Only in extreme forms
like substance abuse or violence do they typically tend to make themselves known.
It is indeed alarming to hear of the male suicide statistics. They are quite
distressing, with 171,000 suicides reported in India in 2022 – an increase of
4.2 per cent in 2023 and 27 per cent since 2018. Concernedly, the
male-to-female suicide ratio is 72.5:27.4. According to a study carried out by
the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in August 2023, the
suicide rate for men is 2.5 times higher than for women, which indicates
suicide has more to do with men.

Key points

·       Overview: The Accidental
Deaths & Suicides in India 2021, report highlighted a growing concern
regarding mental health in India, an issue that remains significantly
underexplored despite its critical implications for public health.

·       Alarming
Statistics: Suicide Rates - According to this report by the National Crime
Records Bureau, men account for 72.5% of suicide victims in India, indicating a
profound mental health crisis.

Disparity Across
Age Groups - A significant increase in suicides is observed among men aged 18-59,
with a 170.7% rise in suicides among daily wage earners from 2014 to 2021.

·       Impact
of Societal Norms: Cultural Expectations - Deep-rooted cultural
norms often prevent men from addressing emotional struggles, as stoicism and
resilience are valued.

Coping
Mechanisms - Men tend to externalize mental health issues through aggression or
substance abuse rather than seeking emotional support, which is more common
among women.

·       Physiological
and Psychological Factors: Stress Responses - Research indicates
that men typically respond to stress with a "fight or flight"
reaction, releasing stress hormones like norepinephrine and cortisol.

Differences in
Coping Strategies - Women’s "tend and befriend" response,
influenced by oxytocin release, often leads them to seek social support,
contrasting with men's tendencies to distance themselves from their emotions.

·       Government
initiatives: Mental Health Care Act 2017 - It guarantees every affected person
access to mental healthcare and treatment from services run or funded by the
government. 

Kiran Helpline - In 2020, the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a 24/7 toll-free helpline
‘Kiran’ to provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, depression,
suicidal thoughts and other mental health concerns.

·       Technological
Innovations in Mental Health: AI in Mental Health Support -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents new opportunities to address men's mental
health challenges, particularly for those reluctant to seek traditional help.

Ø  AI-driven Tools
-
Platforms like Fortis Healthcare’s Adayu Mindfulness app and Manodayam are
already using AI to provide personalised mental health insights and blended
treatment options.

Ø  Innovative
Algorithms - The method helps identify subtle language and behavior patterns that may
signal early signs of mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

Transcranial
Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) - It is a non-invasive
treatment using magnetic pulses to target specific brain areas, showing promise
for severe depression that doesn’t respond to standard medications.

·       Way
forward: Increasing Mental Health Literacy - There is a critical need to enhance
awareness and understanding of mental health issues among men to reduce stigma.

Creating
Supportive Environments - Breaking down societal barriers and fostering open
conversations around mental health can encourage people to seek help and
support.

·       Conclusion: The silent
crisis of mental health in India necessitates a multifaceted approach that
includes enhancing mental health literacy, promoting innovative technological
solutions, and dismantling societal stigmas surrounding emotional
vulnerability.