Niharika, a mental health counsellor and founder of Therapy with N in Chennai, recently spoke about the importance of prioritizing men’s mental health. She addressed the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and emphasized the need for creating safe spaces for men to seek help.
In modern times, although we have made progress globally, the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health, especially concerning men’s mental well-being, still persists. Many men in their early 40s, who are in good physical health, are collapsing due to cardiac arrests caused by stress. The suicide rates in men are also higher than those in women. The primary reason for this is the harmful stereotypes in society that perpetuate the notion that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and un-affected by emotional struggles.
Niharika has dealt with male clients who admit that they haven’t cried in years, while some don’t even know how to express their emotions. Due to gender stereotypes, men feel that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness.
The persistent stigma associated with seeking help is one of the main obstacles to men’s mental health. Niharika called for active measures to create safe spaces for men to be vulnerable and express their emotions. She stressed the need for normalizing help-seeking behavior and encouraging men to view therapy as a sign of strength and self-care that can help dismantle the stigma and create a more supportive environment for men’s mental health.
Therapy with N offers therapy sessions for individuals looking to improve their mental health. Niharika works with clients both in India and abroad, both online and offline. She also works with several corporates that prioritize the mental well-being of their employees. She can be reached through her website or Instagram.
Let’s break the stigma surrounding mental health, one conversation at a time.
