What percent of men between the ages of 15-22 encounter mental health problems such as anxiety or depression?
The American College Health Association (ACHA) conducts an annual National College Health Association National research survey to collect data about students’ habits, behaviors, and perceptions of health topics. Spring 2019 data:
Undergrad students (54,497 respondents): 12.6% of males indicated that they had been treated for anxiety over the past 12 months, and 11.6% males had reported being treated for depression during the past year
Graduate/professional students (11,561 respondents):14.5% of males reported being treated for anxiety within the past year and 12% males reported being treated for depression during the past year
How can mental illness affect the developing brain?
Early childhood experiences affect the developing brain—these can impair one’s capacity for learning and relating to others. Toxic stress can damage brain architecture and increase the likelihood that significant mental health problems will emerge either quickly or years later. Toxic stress can impair school readiness, academic achievement, and both physical and mental health throughout the lifespan.
Mental distress in young people left unacknowledged and without intervention, contributes to increased risk of growing and developing with personal and social difficulties. These difficulties are frequently associated with challenges across family, education and learning, school attendance, physical health, and offending behavior. Mental illness may remain into adult years
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5575617/
Is it true that suicide is one of the highest causes of death among younger age men?
Suicide risk in men is 3.6x higher than it is in women largely due to more lethal means being used (such as by firearm).
According to the CDC fatal injury reports: suicides in males aged 1-19 and 20-44 years old is the second leading cause of death (second to unintentional injuries). Suicides make up 17.2% of deaths in men ages 1-19 and 13.8% of men ages 20-44
How can mental illness become worse (in the mind and in the body) if one does not seek help from professionals?
Mental illness can worsen over time if not treated. Anxiety and depression can negatively impact one’s relationships, work, academics, and all aspects of life. Individuals may attempt to self-treat their symptoms with substances such as drugs and alcohol, which may lead to development of substance use disorders. These and other mental illnesses if left untreated can contribute to cognitive impairment. If mental illness becomes severe, this can lead to self-harm or suicide. Individuals with mental illness, particularly if left untreated, have higher risk for chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
What is the biggest stigma that men face in the world of mental health?
Learned behavior stemming from traditional societal views that males should be independent and detached from their emotional pain contribute to stigma about men’s mental health. Because of this, men might feel that it is a sign of weakness to seek help for their mental health. Some men may not recognize symptoms of anxiety or depression, having difficulty describing their emotions, a term known as “alexithymia.” Men can also exhibit different outward symptoms of anxiety and depression—they are often more likely to be irritable and angry (vs, sad), and therefore may not recognize their symptoms as problems with mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health/index.shtml
Is it true that suicide is one of the highest causes of death among younger age men?
Suicide risk in men is 3.6x higher than it is in women largely due to more lethal means being used (such as by firearm).
According to the CDC fatal injury reports: suicides in males aged 1-19 and 20-44 years old is the second leading cause of death (second to unintentional injuries). Suicides make up 17.2% of deaths in men ages 1-19 and 13.8% of men ages 20-44 years old.
How much less likely are men to seek help for mental illness than women?
43% of US adults with mental illness received treatment in 2018. Treatment rates in adult men in the US are 34.9% vs. women 48.6% (NAMI https://www.nami.org/mhstats)
Please visit these resources below to learn more about mental health in young adults