Men’s mental health awareness – CBT Kenya

Despite the effects of mental illness, almost two-thirds of people with mental health disorders never seek treatment. Men often only reach out for help when they feel they’ve hit “rock bottom”  On the other hand, others don’t seek help at all. Seeking treatment is one of the most important and effective ways someone with mental illness can take to improve the quality of their lives.

Coping with mental health issues

If you are suffering from one or more of these illnesses, treatment will let you lead a full, productive life. These mental illnesses may be difficult and painful. But they are all very treatable. Treatment may include counseling, medicine, or both.

It’s important to know that you have nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. These conditions are illnesses, not weaknesses. The same goes for any addictions you might have. Many men have had trouble communicating what they’re feeling and figuring out how to talk about it. Here are some important first steps:

• Get medical care. Your healthcare provider is used to dealing with these issues. He or she can help you get the treatment you need. In some cases, you may be able to resolve your problems with therapy rather than medicine.
• Find healthier ways of sharing your feelings. It can be tempting to yell or act out or turn to drugs or alcohol when you are feeling unhappy. But instead of lashing out in anger, try something different. Breathe deeply, count to 10, and give yourself some time to calm down.
• Manage your stress. Stress at work and at home can worsen the symptoms of many mental illnesses. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself to do things you enjoy. You may also want to see if deep breathing, meditation, or stretching help you relax.
• Get regular exercise. Research suggests that daily exercise can help relieve the symptoms of depression. People who exercise regularly in their free time are less likely to have this mood disorder.
• Take care of yourself. You deserve it. Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and eat healthy meals with lots of fruits and vegetables. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Being gentle with yourself can put you in a better frame of mind to deal with your mood disorder.

Review

Men are notorious for avoiding the doctor and ignoring unusual symptoms. This may help explain why women tend to live longer. Don’t let complacency take a toll on your health. If you’re concerned about a friend or relative, there are things you can do to help them. Let them know you’re there to listen to them without judgement. Someone who is experiencing mental health problems may find it hard to reach out, so try to keep in touch. A text message or a phone call could make a big difference.

Get in touch

Talking about mental health is easy in theory, but difficult in practice. Particularly when our brains are so good at coming up with excuses for why we shouldn’t. Many men feel they have to have it all together all the time, despite how miserable they feel. But it’s very hard to do a good job when you’re miserable. So, if you really need put your life in order, you can’t afford to ignore your mental health.

CBT-Kenya (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Kenya) counseling center offers counseling and therapy sessions for persons from all walks of life. We focus on helping clients gain insight into themselves by going through a healing process. Our purpose is to help you to achieve your therapeutic and life goals, to improve the quality of your life and to help you to build strong relationships in your life. Get in touch or book an appointment on +254 739 935 333, +254 756 454 585 or info@cbtkenya.org.