Mental health problems can affect anyone but stigma and discrimination can stop people opening up about their experiences and seeking help.
However, talking about mental health can strengthen friendships, aid recovery, break down stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that affects us all.
It's Men's Health Week and this year's theme is this week so we asked our supporters on Facebook and Twitter: What reasons do you think might make it hard for men, in particular, to open up about mental health problems?
You can read the debate on our Facebook page and we've collected some of the responses from Twitter below:
@timetochange @markoneinfour Perhaps the thought of being portrayed as weak. Sharing and crying is one of the strongest things we can do
— Havering Mind (@HaveringMind) June 12, 2013
@timetochange people often don't think depression is a real illness. That goes for both genders though.
— Matt Davies (@matted1) June 12, 2013
@timetochange Being judged by other men. All about ego and stigma. End of the day, illness can strike anyone.
— Aran Sohal (@AranSohal) June 12, 2013
@timetochange lots of people are frightened by mental illness.Perhaps some men don't want to be seen as scary monsters.
— Jessica Rose (@JessicaanneRose) June 12, 2013
@timetochange not just a question of 'men' finding it difficult to open up. That positions 'us' as the ones with 'the problem' #mentalhealth
— Darren Gormley (@MrDarrenGormley) June 12, 2013
.@timetochange The childhood phrase of 'Big boys don't cry.' seems to sum it up.
— Damien Healy (@damienhealy) June 12, 2013
@firebright777 @timetochange WinstonChurchill suffered from depression, he was a greatleader & not weak. Men remember that.
— suzanne Hurley (@suzanne_hurley) June 12, 2013
@timetochange The idea that it's 'unmanly' to discuss emotions and a fear that the mental health problems would be seen as a weakness.
— Pat (@official_patnee) June 12, 2013
@timetochange have to be careful with this debate or we end up with 'men can't speak about #mentalhealth because they're men' #timetotalk
— Markoneinfour (@MarkOneinFour) June 12, 2013
@timetochange because they've been told since early childhood they are strong and expected to be so....just because they are male.?
— jackie white (@j_jackieboo22) June 12, 2013
@timetochange Because a man is'strong and courageous'. Mental illness is something that is wrongly thought of as a weakness. #timetotalk
— Paul J Grainger (@gvpassion) June 12, 2013
@timetochange The stigma they are "not a real man"
— Emily (@see_emilyplay) June 12, 2013
@timetochange Some men like to be looked upon as being strong and they think mental health is a weakness
— paul lynch (@firebright777) June 12, 2013
@timetochange fear of losing employment, male ego
— Dom(@Domnarc) June 12, 2013
@timetochange pride and fear of looking weak.
— kbangel (@kbAngel) June 12, 2013
@timetochange if you've never learned emotions are something you have, not something you do, describing #mentalhealth difficult #timetotalk
— Markoneinfour (@MarkOneinFour) June 12, 2013
What do you think about the issues raised in this blog?
Share your views with us on Twitter >>
Or sign our pledge wall to show your support and find out how talking tackles mental health discrimination.
How to help someone with mental health problems
If someone you know is experiencing mental health problems or needs urgent support, there are lots of services that you can go to for help.
You can also find out more about:
- particular mental health diagnoses from Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and the NHS
- the simple, everyday ways you can support someone who has a mental health problem
- how stigma and discrimination can affect people living with mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, anxiety, personality disorders or schizophrenia.
