10 minute read
THE HIGH RATE OF MALE SUICIDE
By Sue-Ann Maislin, M.A.
Sue-Ann Maislin has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and Adult Education from the University of Toronto and a post-graduate certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion from Centennial College. www.sueannmaislin.com.
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Guys (and gals), it’s time to get loud about suicide. I know it’s not something many of us want to think about, much less shout about, but the silence which shrouds men’s mental health challenges and suicide is proving to be deadly for men and boys. We need to get loud about it, because male suicide, often called a silent crisis, is expected to increase exponentially in the next year.
ONE MAN DIES EVERY MINUTE
According to the World Health Organization, globally one man dies by suicide every minute of every day and Canadian men and boys are disproportionately at risk. Whether we want to talk about it or not, male suicide has impacted most of us personally. As I write this article, someone close to me is coping with the overwhelming grief of losing her son to a
Time to break the silence
brave and difficult battle with depression. This is a story I have seen repeat itself in my personal life and professional practice. While not all deaths by suicide are preventable, talking about suicide and reducing systemic barriers and stigma will save lives.
Let’s face it, the change of seasons can be tough on mental health. Like 35 per cent of Canadians, I struggle with seasonal blues that affect my mood, sleep and productivity as the weather turns colder and the days get darker. This year things could be even tougher. With the heightened feelings of anxiety, grief and loneliness many of us are experiencing as a result of Covid-19, along with reduced opportunity for social and physical activity as restrictions tighten and we spend more time indoors, mental health issues are expected to climb.
SILENT KILLER
While women like me typically experience higher rates of seasonal blues, depression and anxiety than men, we are also more likely to share our feelings with loved ones and seek help. Men struggle too, but they tend to stay silent or engage in destructive behaviours such as problem substance use and emotional withdrawal. Men are also at least three times more likely than women to die by suicide, according to Statistics Canada.
Even before COVID-19 hit, 10 Canadians died by suicide each day, with eight of them likely to be male. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in youths aged 15-24 but men 40-60 years old make up one-third of all deaths, putting men in their prime mid-life years at significant risk. A recent article in Psychiatry Research predicts that Covid-19 related unemployment could result in 418 to 2,114 excess deaths due to suicide in Canada during 2020-2021.
While the stats are scary, serious mental health problems and male suicide do not have to be an inevitable by-product of the pandemic. Many Canadians are experiencing adverse mental health symptoms that can be managed through personal coping and self-care strategies, social support and tele-counselling resources, according to Dr. David Gratzer, Assistant Professor of Adult Psychiatry and Mental Health Systems at the University of Toronto. However, adults living with more serious mental illnesses are likely to struggle more as a result of Covid-19 and men may be at greater risk.
CREATE HOPE
The problem is that men are less likely to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Even if they do, stigma and social attitudes about masculinity may prevent them from getting help. By getting loud about men’s mental health and suicide, we can help alleviate the pain, loneliness and stigma men and boys face. When we create a safe space to encourage men to share their stories, we create hope and help reduce systemic and societal barriers, making it easier to access mental healthcare resources.
That’s where the Movember campaign aimed at reducing preventable death in men and boys kicks in. Brendan Mahar, Global Director of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Movember, says, “What’s happening now is impacting us all in different ways. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do, where to start or what to say. As we push through this together, we hope we can empower people to connect with others who are struggling and find the help they need now.”
While not all male suicide is linked to mental health challenges, there is a strong causal link between mental disorders such as major depressive disorder and suicide. According to the Toronto Men’s Health Network Co-chair Dr. Don McCreary, the area of men’s health, including mental health, is relatively new. McCreary says, “There’s been a strong code of silence when it comes to men’s mental health.”
GENDER BIAS TOWARDS FEMALES IN RESEARCH
One particular challenge has been a gender bias when it comes to understanding men’s experience of common mental health challenges, such as mood and anxiety disorders. Until this century, much of our understanding about these issues was influenced by research conducted on women. While men and women experience some common symptoms
of depression, the way they present can be quite different. Genetics, hormonal changes, physical illness, stress, and social and psychological factors can contribute to depression in men and boys.
From a young age, boys have been taught to hold back their tears and “suck it up” when faced with pain and adversity. Talking about complex emotions or expressing vulnerability can be seen as weakness, especially for Gen X and boomer males. Men’s focus on competition and the need to feel powerful, confident and protective can be adversely affected by unemployment, financial pressures, aging, loss and divorce, increasing the risk of suicide. Sadly, men’s mental health symptoms are sometimes ignored or attributed to other health issues.
Dr. Michael Myers, Head of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, says men’s mental illness symptoms can be masked. Men sometimes generalize symptoms of depression as temporary stress or blues. But depression is a very different experience than stress. It affects every facet of a person’s life, including the ability to sleep, eat, work, enjoy life, relationships, sex and intimacy. It can intensify feelings of guilt, hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness and cloud judgment and problem-solving skills.
ACTING OUT
Dr. Myers says too many men out there are suffering and are acting out their depression through a combination of hostility, rage and verbal abuse, emotional withdrawal, problem drinking, gambling and sex. It’s much harder to recognize these destructive coping strategies as symptoms of depression or precursors to suicide, because they are culturally sanctioned as stereotypical “bad boy” behaviour.
In addition to the toxic stereotypes about masculinity are stigmatizing beliefs that mental disorders are a sign of weakness or poor character. Despite media campaigns and the deaths of celebrities such as Anthony Bourdain in 2018, there is still a lot of fear and misunderstanding about suicide. Suicide has traditionally been viewed as a cowardly or morally repulsive act against God and society. The highly stigmatized phrase “committing suicide” (as in committing a crime) came about in part because suicide was considered a criminal act in Canada until 1972. While our collective understanding of suicide is changing, traditional views and discomfort about the topic persist in some settings. This adds to the pain and suffering of survivors and their loved ones, who can face blame, shame and rejection instead of compassion when they need it most.
TIME FOR A RETHINK
It’s time to rethink the way we talk about men’s mental health and suicide. That’s where resources such as Heads Up Guys comes in. Heads Up Guys is a digital resource created by mental health professionals at the University of British Columbia dedicated to supporting men in their fight against depression and suicide. The site is easy to navigate and includes success stories of men living with depression, self-assessment tools and information about professional and practical resources. This year the site added a Covid-19 Hub, with tips for managing mental health during the pandemic.
Another helpful resource is the Centre for Suicide Prevention, created by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Alberta Chapter, providing education in response to suicide risk. The site includes a guide and tool kit for preventing suicide in men, including tips for talking with someone if you are concerned about suicide. This summer the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), launched the Not Suicide, Not Today campaign to help people in crisis and their loved ones.
END THE SILENCE
Silence isn’t an option. Education, sharing stories and non-judgmental acceptance will save lives. This includes learning to recognize warning signs for suicide in yourself and loved ones, which may include: • Feeling like life sucks and days are getting harder to endure
• Loss of pleasure in activities and relationships you typically enjoy
• Feeling angry or sad most of the time
• Feeling like a burden on others
• Giving away your valued possessions
• Withdrawing from the people you care about
• Sleeping all day or not being able to sleep
• Increased substance use to escape pain
• Taking serious risks, regardless of consequences
• Thinking and talking about wanting to die
• Thinking and talking about ways to die
If you are struggling right now, recognize that you are not alone. Hear the inspirational stories of men and boys like you who have struggled with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts and actions, such as Go beyond the banter this world suicide prevention day published on Movemer’s website or Asante’s Story, published on Not Suicide, Not Today.
Recognize that gender stereotypes, such as being a man of few words and no emotions, adds to pain and stigma. Kick silence to the curb and talk about your struggles with your partner, friend, parent, sibling, trusted spiritual advisor or workplace leader. If you are contemplating suicide right now, seek prompt medical attention or call the Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline operated by Crisis Canada at 1-833-456-4566.
SPEAK UP
If you are concerned about someone you care about, speak up. Contrary to popular belief, talking about suicide will not make things worse. People contemplating suicide are often afraid and alone and can sometimes act impulsively. By sharing your concerns in a non-judgmental manner, you create a safe space for the person to talk about their thoughts and feelings. For tips on talking about suicide, visit Suicide Info or contact Crisis Canada for guidance. If the situation is urgent, encourage the person to seek medical attention, visit a hospital emergency room (yes, it’s safe to do this during Covid) or call 911.
It’s time to end the silence, pain and shame. Let’s get loud about men’s mental health and suicide with friends, family, partners and colleagues. Get even louder by raising awareness, education and funds to improve men’s mental health and reduce preventable deaths by suicide, by joining in this year’s Movember campaign.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
• Tough Enough to Talk About it – Targeting the mental health of men who work in skilled trades.
• Bounce Back – Funded by the Canadian Mental
Health Association, Ontario, Bounce Back offers a free and interactive coaching program to support resiliency skills and recovery for adults and youth.
• Dude’s Club – Facilitates a participant-led community for men’s wellness, which prioritizes supportive relationships, engagement in health care, and an Indigenous world view.
• Men’s Mental Health – Sponsored by The
Canadian Mental Association, Toronto, provides information and resources for men struggling with mental health challenges.
• Mind Beacon – Interactive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy currently free for residents of Ontario.
• Wellness Together Canada – Sponsored by the
Government of Canada to support the mental health of Canadians. The site offers links to e-resources, meditation classes, interactive cognitive behavioural resources and access to live counsellors.
