Prioritizing men’s health is a goal everyone should have throughout the year. Men’s health awareness takes center stage this June as Men’s Health Month begins for 2023.
Of special focus are mental and physical health issues that disproportionately affect men, including prostate cancer, heart disease, and suicide. Mental health concerns affect men more often than many realize, but New Jersey men’s rehab centers like BlueCrest Recovery can help.
Raising awareness of men’s health is important in supporting those who hesitate to seek help for mental or physical issues.
Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma surrounding men and mental health. If you or a man in your life needs help recovering from a mental health concern or substance use disorder, reach out to BlueCrest Recovery at 888.292.9652.
Prioritizing Men’s Health
Men’s Health Month is about encouraging boys and men to care for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Mental health is just as important as physical health but is often overlooked or dismissed, especially in men.
In Western countries, men are three and a half times more likely to commit suicide than women, and there’s a direct link between the lack of priority given to men’s mental health and higher suicide rates in men. It’s a critical issue that must be addressed during Men’s Health Month and every month.
It should be noted that not every male who completes suicide has a mental health disorder. However, men considering suicide are less likely to use mental health services. Raising awareness, removing the stigma, and making men’s healthcare accessible are three powerful ways to support men’s health.
Raising Men’s Health Awareness
Raising awareness of the importance of mental health in men is vital, as it does more than simply make people think about the subject. It also helps to break down barriers and remove the long-standing social taboos associated with masculinity and emotional wellness.
Making Health Care Accessible
According to the National Institutes of Health, men’s healthcare costs heavily lean toward expensive treatments to address neglected health conditions that could have been treated more effectively at an earlier stage. This is true for both physical and mental health, as the two are often related.
Making health services more accessible to men can be accomplished by removing common obstacles to care. This includes things like:
- Utilizing digital tech and mobile devices to make appointments and consultation services more accessible
- Broadening open hours to improve access to care
- Delivering services in settings where men feel more comfortable
Men’s rehabilitation programs are designed to meet the unique needs of men seeking addiction recovery help. They provide environments for services that are welcoming and inviting while being conducive to addiction recovery.
The most common men’s rehab programs are partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient treatment programs (IOP), and outpatient programs.
Removing the Stigma
Men need to know that it’s normal to talk about their mental health and seek treatment whenever they’re dealing with a specific issue or just feel “off.” Overall, men are far less likely to seek help for mental health problems than women.
Men’s Health Month is a perfect time to dispel the conventions that say men aren’t allowed to talk about their mental health.
Prioritizing Men’s Health at BlueCrest Recovery
The National Institute of Mental Health says that one in five men will experience a mental illness in a given year.
Men’s Health Month is a time when awareness of these statistics must bring forth action because mental health problems significantly impact men’s lives and the lives of those around them. Men with mental health concerns are more likely to use drugs or alcohol, fail in relationships, attempt suicide, experience homelessness, and get divorced.
Don’t wait to learn how our men’s rehab center in NJ can help—call 888.292.9652 to contact BlueCrest Recovery today.
