Men's Mental Health Matters: International Men's Day 2023

“All of us have to recognize that being a man is first and foremost being a good human. That means being responsible, being reliable working hard, being kind, respectful, compassionate.”- Barack Obama. Oftentimes the issues which are of concern to men are kicked to the sidelines in keeping with a skewed and misleading narrative that men should be rough, tough and void of emotions. In the wider society even on a regional level, men are faced with an unsustainable burden of being the breadwinner and protector of the family. For some men this burden weighs heavily as the expectations from both family and the wider society can be daunting. Of course, some men have no problem in fulfilling societal expectation of them regarding the role of a man. However, we acknowledge the fact that there are various strands of masculinity and regardless of which a male identifies with that should not render him any lesser of a man. This view of masculinity is problematic not only for men but also for boys. The implication of such a narrow and divisive view of masculinity runs counter to the holistic development of the personhood. Unfortunately, less emphasis is placed on men as it relates to their values and attitudes and character traits. Society is more interested in defining masculinity along the stereotypical broad shoulders, the six pack abdomen and muscular frame of the male specie. Masculinity refers to the roles, behaviours and attributes seen as appropriate for boys and men in a given society. In short, masculinity refers to society’s expectations of males. In many societies, boys and men are expected to be strong, active, aggressive, tough, daring, heterosexual, emotionally inexpressive and dominant. This toxic view of masculinity is reinforced by the agents of socialization such as the education system where boys who are viewed as being different are bullied, teased and ridiculed. Interestingly, those males who display soft skills are not seen on the same level as those males who display the thuggish persona. The media, both traditional and new media also contribute in shaping or perhaps reshaping how we perceive masculinity and manhood. Sadly, this rigid interpretation negatively impacts relationships both personal and professional. Perhaps, a reminder is apt at this juncture; men are foremost humans and as such are as vulnerable as women are. Men however, act differently to their vulnerabilities. Many men suffer in silence on a daily basis solely on the basis that men who seek help in terms of medical or professional assistance are often misperceived as being weak and effeminate. Why Celebrate International Men’s Day?. It is therefore welcoming that the global community should pause on at least one day out of the year and focus attention on some of the issues impacting men. International Men’s Day 2023 is a global observance that celebrates the positive contributions and achievements of men while addressing important issues affecting men’s health, well-being, and gender equality. This day provides an opportunity to promote discussions and actions that support men’s physical and mental health, encourage positive role models, and advocate for a more inclusive society. International Men’s Day is observed on November 19th each year. This important day provides individuals, organizations, and communities to engage in activities and discussions related to men’s issues. The theme this year is Zero Male Suicide. This engagement also means ensuring there are intervention, counselling and mediation where necessary. A safe environment is essential for nurturing, growth and development of men who are stable, healthy and caring. This year International Men’s Day will be observed in 93 nations, and will – as in previous years - resonate with people from different ethnicities, religions, classes and geographical locations. Observance of International Men’s Day places a focus on uniting humanity by providing individuals, organizations, and institutions throughout our global village with an opportunity to help work towards our shared objectives which we apply equally to men and boys irrespective of their age, ability, social background, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religious belief, and relationship status. How to Participate in International Men’s Day 2023. Participating in International Men’s Day involves acknowledging and supporting the well-being of men and boys in various ways. Here are ways to get involved: Promote Men’s Health: Encourage men to prioritize their physical and mental health by seeking medical advice and support when needed. Advocate for Gender Equality: Promote gender equality and challenge harmful stereotypes and behaviors that affect both men and women. Support Positive Masculinity: Celebrate positive male role models and encourage boys and men to express their emotions and vulnerabilities. Engage in Mentorship: Support mentorship programs that connect boys and young men with positive male role models in their communities. Why Are Men At Risk?. Boys are often told not to cry, and men are told to “man up”, and “take it like a man” when dealing with the pressures and stresses of life. These unrealistic and outdated notions of masculinity force many men in a corner where they struggle with their emotional vulnerabilities. These harsh descriptions on one’s masculinity can often be internalized and misconstrued as blemishes on one’s manhood. Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. Every year 703 000 people take their own lives and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2019. Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world. In fact, over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2019. More Jamaicans are committing suicide with the latest data showing a 26 per cent increase in the number of persons who took their lives in 2022 compared with the previous year. The latest Jamaican figures were published in the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica released recently by the Planning Institute of Jamaica. The report said 64 suicides were recorded in 2022, moving up from 51 suicides in 2021. Importantly, males accounted for 90.6 per cent of victims. Individually, we can create a safe space to share and express emotions through open, non-judgmental conversation and gentle questioning. Maintain strong social connections by prioritizing friendships and good relationships with loved ones, and by participating in peer support programmes or other social activities.

The Construction of Caribbean Masculinity. The construction of Caribbean masculinity is rooted to a large extent in the horrific period of enslavement. During slavery the black man was viewed as inferior. Those enslaved men who were thought of as being strong and powerful were the first to be auctioned off. It is evidently clear that from around the 16th century a systemic and structured scheme was enforced to categorize black men. The black man was not allowed to show his emotions. Regrettably, this categorization of the male specie lives on centuries later. We must then ask the question how do we move the dial from where we currently are as men to where we desire to be. Safe Spaces. As men it is important for us know ourselves thoroughly. This knowing of one’s self is critical in order for us to know when we really need to step back and recharge, reinvigorate and refresh ourselves. It is unfortunate that in some societies men do not have safe spaces where they can be honest and vulnerable with themselves as well as others of the species. Undoubtedly, a culture of safe spaces will rekindle our males to be productive therefore fostering positive benefits for the wider society. On this International Men’s Day let us work harder for a gentler society rooted in a spirit of positive masculinity, while acknowledging the existence of multiple masculinities. The time is now for men to recommit and pledge their support in the campaign to improve men’s physical and mental health. It is also vital that as men we bolster other men where necessary as we collectively continue our journey rooted in masculinity and manhood. Globally, men should be encouraged to continue playing their affirmative roles in their families, communities and in nation building and development. Together we can stop male suicide. In the words of Hayley Williams, when you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalMensDay #ZeroMaleSuicide #HealthyMen #IMD