Talk therapy for male mental health

• MALE MENTAL HEALTH NATIONAL STATISTICS

• 75%  of suicides in the world are men
• The suicide rate is higher for homosexual men
• Men have the highest rates of death at work
• Men receive nearly equal amounts of domestic abuse from their partners
• Men have less access to domestic abuse shelters - 40 shelters out of 204
• Men are less likely to receive custody of their children
• Men are 70% more likely to have a divorce imposed on them
• 77% of men live with depression, anxiety and stress
• Only 36% of men reach out for therapy
• Men are eight times more likely to go to prison
• Men are more likely to be victims of physical violence
• Males are less likely to perform as well in education
• Men are less likely to gain custody of their children

Although there is a lack of research on masculinity and help-seeking behavior, evidence does show that men continue to seek talk therapy less often than women. It is crucial we find effective therapeutic approaches to connect and meet men where they are, acknowledging the positive aspects of their masculinity while addressing their needs in the counseling setting. 

From my experience, a high percentage of male clients have not had vulnerability modeled to them and this could be pinpointed to family and societal expectations. They receive mixed messages. 

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) strength based approach is particularly  appealing to men because it focuses on what they are doing well and how they can build on those strengths.

A high proportion of men prefer the calobrative style of SFBT that focuses on solutions. Instead of feeling like they are being overly judged or analysed.

Very often men are looking primarily to resolve the difficulties they are wrestling with and move on, which is why to some men, talking therapies and traditional counselling can be off putting. 

The male preference for ‘shoulder to shoulder’ rather than ‘face to face’ communication can be more greatly utilised in encouraging more genuine therapeutic connections with men and boys  (The British Phsycology Society, 2024)

Of course, this is not the case for all men and it's important not to stereotype. As as a male therapist, I am pleased to offer my integrative (more than one type of counselling modality) therapy.  For example:  at times there is a great benefit and a need delving into the past, subconscious and particularly if there has been a trauma or traumas.