Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
When men struggle with stress and anxiety, we need to be patient, empathetic and understanding. By avoiding criticism, encouraging them to push outside their comfort zone, and validating their experiences, we can create a supportive environment conducive to their well-being. I have faced many challenges that have tested my resilience and determination.
My biggest champions have been those who have encouraged me to keep pushing forward even when I felt like giving up. So, let us create a culture of compassion and acceptance where individuals with stress and anxiety feel valued, understood and supported on their journey towards healing and growth. Together we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Rejina Chhinal
The societal construct of masculinity often equates emotional vulnerability with weakness, fostering an environment where men suppress their inner turmoil.
This suppression, driven by notions like ‘men don’t cry’, perpetuates a vicious cycle of isolation and mental health deterioration. The archetype of unwavering strength paradoxically renders men more fragile, as unaddressed emotions erode resilience over time. To counter this, we must cultivate ecosystems – within families and communities—that prioritise psychological safety and destigmatise vulnerability.
Encouraging authentic expression and seeking help should be reframed as acts of courage, not frailty, thereby redefining strength as the capacity to confront and articulate one’s struggles.
Sachin Dev
In our society, the process of making men mentally strong starts from childhood itself. By saying things like ‘boys are strong’ and ‘boys never cry’, they are made to believe they must be tough.
As a result, even after growing up, men will want to keep up this image and hence, they suppress their emotions. They often do so by facing loneliness, stress, and even issues like depression alone.
Therefore, there is a need to create awareness and sensitivity towards the mental and emotional health of men through various mediums. After all, they also have emotions and need support.
Sujata Soni
A man is biologically stronger than a woman. As per earlier social norms, he was the breadwinner and protector of the family.
But times have changed and today is the generation of gender equality. So men find it a bit difficult to understand how to respond with the changed norms especially when it comes to their health issues. It was much easier earlier when women, who were caretakers of the family, tended to the health issues of men.
Today, the lines have blurred. One may need to hire a nurse for care and that comes at a cost. Men probably are caught up in the modern day’s dilemma and it sometimes affects their physical and mental health.
Lakshmy
