Male Millennial and Mental Health
In a study published by the American Psychiatry Association in 2018¹, millennials, (defined as those born between 1981-1996²) were found to be, on the whole, the most anxious generation.
Anxiety conditions (reported by 14% of millennials in a 2016 survey³) and depression (17%) are two of the most commonly experienced mental health conditions amongst this demographic, and since 2013, they have witnessed a 47% increase in major-depression diagnoses⁴.
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A range of causes for this have been cited, from the advent and proliferation of social media, to increased financial strain, to loneliness, to workplace burnout. Financial strain has been identified as a particular problem for millennials, with a costly housing market, student loan debt and diminishing job opportunities increasing their economic burden when compared to previous generations.
However, millennials also differ from previous generations in another key way: their approach to mental health.
The Millennial Mindset
According to a study of millennials by the Matters of the Mind team at American University⁵, almost 75% agree that millennials are “much more open to addressing mental health topics than older people,” whilst more than 70% would “feel comfortable visiting a counselor.”
In an essay for the Wall Street Journal last year, Peggy Dexler described millennials as the “therapy generation,” with a high awareness of their mental health⁶. Millennials grew up hearing about mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and have a greater understanding of what they are and how to recognise them in themselves.
They are in turn more accepting of others with such issues, with 85% saying they would be “comfortable making friends with or working on a project with someone who had been diagnosed with mental illness⁵.” They are also more likely to speak openly about their mental health with their friends, co-workers and parents.
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Conversations about mental health have also moved from a private space to a public one. Whilst social media may be contributing to a decline in mental health, young people are using it as a platform for discussing it, a practice likely encouraged by a number of millennial celebrities from Lady Gaga to Prince Harry publicly sharing their mental health struggles and championing awareness.
So whilst millennials are reporting mental health issues at greater rates than their older counterparts, they are also discussing these issues and seeking help in greater numbers than ever before⁷.
Access to mental health resources is also growing, with more educational institutions and companies offering support, and an increase in online platforms offering therapy and guidance well-suited to a generation so familiar with communicating through technology. The outcome has been a significant normalisation and a de-stigmatisation of stereotypes around mental health, and a global cultural shift leading to open discussion and representation in popular culture.
The Male Millennial
Yet despite this paradigm shift, there remains a gender disparity amongst millennials in the context of mental health. Women are still significantly more likely to discuss and seek help for mental health issues than men, but why?
Whilst attitudes are changing, many young men still contend with a perception of what it means to be ‘male’ in a traditional sense. Stereotypes of the ‘ideal man,’ a strong, stoic and macho figure, perpetuated over many generations are hard to shake entirely. Some men still perceive admitting they are experiencing mental health issues as a sign of weakness⁸, whilst other myths⁹, like that having depression makes you a burden, or that ‘real men’ don’t reach out for help can become rooted in men’s psyches to the point they are not even aware of them¹⁰.
The term ‘toxic masculinity,’ signifying a cultural concept of manliness that adheres to male behaviours and attitudes that are harmful to society such as acting aggressively or dominantly and suppressing emotions, has become a catchall phrase for the ills of negative male behaviour in modern life.
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The effect of toxic masculinity is that traditional ‘alpha’ male stereotypes associated with it can lead men to avoid or limit emotional expression, preventing them from talking about or seeking help for mental health, further compounding the psychological issues they may already be experiencing. Indeed a 2017 study linked conformity to traditional masculine traits, such as valuing self reliance, with poorer mental health and a decreased likelihood of treatment¹¹.
However, male millennials, and Generation Z following them are addressing toxic masculinity and other male stereotypes head on, re-defining what it means to be a man, and building new social norms for how men are perceived and comfortably express themselves.
Social media campaigns such as #boysdocry and #RUOKM8 alongside mental health awareness campaigns from organisations such as CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably), Samaritans, Time to Change and HeadsUp Guys have sought to actively break down stigma and encourage men to talk openly about mental health problems. And the result is greater numbers of young men worldwide acknowledging, discussing and seeking help for mental health issues than any time in the past.
The Situation in Hong Kong
When compared to its western counterparts, research suggests, however, that in Hong Kong there is still some way to go in addressing stigma attached to mental health.
A study by Mind HK in 2018¹² found 41% of respondents agreed that “one of the main causes of mental illness is a lack of self-discipline and willpower,” indicating less progressive attitudes towards mental health are still common and that increased awareness and knowledge are necessary. Such attitudes may disproportionately affect males who are prone to be more susceptible to stigma around the perceived causes of mental health, resulting in them being less likely to seek treatment.
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Despite this, there are signs that a shift in perceptions is occurring. 87% of respondents in the same study agreed that “virtually anyone could become mentally ill,” and the overwhelming majority also indicated that addressing stigma towards mental health is a key concern and that adopting far more tolerant attitudes is needed.
Various local groups and individuals are taking action to tackle this stigma. Hong Kong Rugby Union has been a chief advocate for advancing mental health awareness, especially amongst males with its Community Foundation and partnerships with local mental health organisations such as the Samaritan Befrienders of Hong Kong and MindHK.
Individuals in the rugby community are also taking an active role, with local players organising training seminars and an annual ‘Blue Tie’ ball to raise awareness and money for mental health causes. These sit along annual mass participation initiatives such as the global ‘Movember’ movement which have also gained traction in the community.
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As a male millennial myself, I feel it is more important than ever that we create an open dialogue about mental health and recognise that it is the most pressing health crisis facing our generation. Living in Hong Kong, it can feel like there aren’t many options to turn to if you are struggling with mental health, but help is available, and acknowledging that so many of us are having these experiences is a key step towards more young men seeking it, as well as the nurturing of positive and progressive attitudes in our community.
If you or someone you know is having mental health issues, consider seeking help at Common Care with a professional, qualified online counsellor specialised in treating men’s mental health issues.
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Sources:
APA Public Opinion Poll, American Psychiatry Association, 7 May 2018, www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/americans-say-they-are-more-anxious-than-a-year-ago-baby-boomers-report-greatest-increase-in-anxiety
Dimock, Michael. “Defining generations: Where Millenials end and Generation Z begins.” Pew Research Center, 17 January 2019, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
“Highlights: 2016 Millennials Survey.” Transmerica Center for Health Studies, www.transamericacenterforhealthstudies.org/health-care-research/2016-millennials-survey-highlights
BlueCross BlueShield Report. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, 4 March 2019, www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/articles/two-million-commercially-insured-americans-diagnosed-major-depression-not-seeking-treatment
Lorusso, Marissa and Barnes, Sophia. “Survey: Stress, Stigma and Access Loom Large for Millennials.” Matters of the Mind, www.themillennialminds.com/survey/
Dexler, Peggy. “Millennials are the therapy generation.” Wall Street Journal, 1 March 2019, www.wsj.com/articles/millennials-are-the-therapy-generation-11551452286
Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2017 Annual Report, Penn State University, sites.psu.edu/ccmh/files/2018/02/2017_CCMH_Report-1r4m88x.pdf
Campbell, Leah. “Why Many Men Have a Harder Time Seeking Treatment for Mental Illness.” Healthline, 30 June 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-can-we-reduce-mens-mental-health-stigma#When-is-it-time-to-ask-for-help?
Beharry, Joshua R. “5 myths that prevent men from fighting depression.” National Alliance on Mental Illness, 23 March 2018, https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2018/5-Myths-that-Prevent-Men-from-Fighting-Depression
Gattuso, Reina. “Why don’t men ask for mental health help.” Talkspace, 10 June 2018, https://www.talkspace.com/blog/why-dont-men-ask-for-mental-health-help/
Wong, Joel Y. et al. “Meta-Analyses of the Relationship Between Conformity to Masculine Norms and Mental Health-Related Outcomes.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2017, www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/cou-cou0000176.pdf
“Press Release: Mind Hong Unveils New Research Ahead of World Mental Health Day.” Mind HK, 10 October 2018, www.mind.org.hk/press-releases/timetochangehkresearch/