Depressive disorder (depression) is a common mental illness that affects hundreds of millions globally and poses serious risk factors for suicide, according to who.int. While women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, men account for eight out of every ten suicides in the United States, according to hopkinsmedicine.org. Because there is pressure for males to conform to society’s expectation of stereotypically masculine behavior, this toxic masculinity obstructs men from voicing their psychological struggles, according to adaa.org. While society often criticizes more “feminine” men, people must face the adversity to break down harmful stigmas, like “boys do not cry,” so men can speak up for the treatment they need. Regardless of sex, every human has emotions, and suppressing these feelings may result in detrimental effects.
Depression typically manifests itself during adolescence and results from social, biological, and psychological factors, according to who.int. However, this mental illness presents itself differently between men and women. Girls tend to experience body image issues, feelings of failure, trouble concentrating, and sadness, whereas boys suffer from tiredness and disinterest in usual activities. As they age, women with depression endure stress, sadness, and sleep issues, while men exhibit irritability and impulsive anger. Women are more likely to seek help for their mental illnesses, allowing them to get the professional aid they need, according to hopkinsmedicine.org. On the contrary, 40 percent of men have never spoken about their mental health issues due to embarrassment and the “negative stigma” surrounding the topic, according to priorygroup.com. Nobody, regardless of gender, should have to suffer mental illnesses alone.
Dr. Andrew Angelino, Chair of Psychiatry at Howard County General Hospital, commented on the difference between depression in men and women. He reflected on how society places certain expectations on the two sexes, which harms people with mental illnesses further.
“Women with depression may come in crying; men may come in acting out in anger,” Dr. Angelino said, according to hopkinsmedicine.org. “We’ve taught boys that they don’t cry, so instead of crying, they get angry and threatening.”
One reason that the suicide rates for men are higher than for women is that men are more likely to use guns or violent methods, whereas women use less instant methods like poisoning, according to hopkinsmedicine.org. These violent means result in a quicker death, not allowing others to aid those trying to kill themselves. Society’s view of how a man should behave influences decisions made in perilous conditions, resulting in grave consequences. People must uproot the embedded toxic masculinity, so men can receive help if deadly and dangerous thoughts turn to action.
Researchers define “toxic masculinity” as concealing emotion, showcasing a countenance of toughness, and using violence as a mark of power. Essentially, other behavior may make men feel “feminine” or “weak,” according to The New York Times. In Western culture, the more stereotypically masculine a man is, the more social acceptance and privilege he has. Studies show that men who are in fraternities, play team sports, or work in the armed forces have a higher tendency to commit acts of aggression, according to sohlv.org. In these male-dominated environments, society instills belief systems that cause men to bottle up their vulnerabilities and use weak outlets that further worsen their symptoms of depression.
Dr. Fredric Rabinowitx, writer and professor of psychology at the University of Redlands, discussed the effects of male suicide. He detailed his belief that vulnerability can help men build happier lives. He explained that men can find the solution by embracing emotions.
“We see that men have higher suicide rates, men have more cardiovascular disease, and men are lonelier as they get older,” Dr. Rabinowitx said, according to The New York Times. “We’re trying to help men by expanding their emotional repertoire, not trying to take away the strength that men have.”
Emotions are utterly human regardless of a person’s sex. Individuals must aim to tear down the embedded belief about what each sex should uphold because they are a severe threat to the well-being of society. Ms. Malorie Blackman, British author and activist, summarizes emotions as a part of the universal human experience in her novel Boys Don’t Cry. She writes, “Boys don’t cry, but real men do.”
Featured Image by Emily Shull ’25
