Therapy, also called counseling, helps people deal with their problems like how they behave, their feelings, and issues from their past. A therapist can help someone work through deep-seated psychological problems and make their life better.
Talking about therapy used to be a big no-no, but things are changing. More people are open about their mental health struggles, thanks to social media. This is a good thing because it helps break the stigma.
Even though therapy is becoming more accepted, many men still don’t go for it. But why?
Need To Look Tough
Many men think they have to be tough and strong all the time. They believe they should solve their own problems without asking for help. This makes it hard for them to open up and show their sensitive side. It’s not that men are naturally like this, but from a young age, they learn to hide their feelings and be tough.
Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
These days, a lot of men know therapy can help them. But some still think it shows weakness to seek therapy. Even though they’re fine with others getting help, they feel reluctant to do it themselves because of the stigma around men and mental health.
Difficulty Opening Up
It’s sad that boys learn certain social messages when they’re growing up. They’re taught not to show any signs of vulnerability or care. As they get older, they find it hard to trust anyone with their feelings. They’re stuck with rigid ideas about what it means to be a man.
Normalisation Of Men Acting Out
Because society often associates emotions like anger and rage with masculinity, men tend to rely on them too much to express their feelings. While it’s okay to feel anger, using it as a crutch to deal with other emotions can be a problem. When we excuse our behavior as “just being a man,” we avoid dealing with our real issues.
Inability To Express Emotions
Some of us may struggle to recognize when we’re going through tough times because we’re not used to acknowledging our emotions. I went through years thinking I could handle everything on my own, but eventually, I realized I needed to express myself. And it felt great.
Men aren’t biologically less likely to seek therapy than women. It’s more about social influences that make us hesitate. If more men understood how common issues like depression and anxiety are, they might feel more comfortable seeking help. This would break the taboo and the idea that toughness is everything.
Therapy can help you live a more fulfilling life. A counselor can help you break toxic habits, improve your relationships, and deal with unresolved feelings.
