Among the critical health issues are the mental health (MH) of men and the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on male MH. The global spread of the coronavirus has affected many areas of life, including people’s mental health. While statistics often imply that women report higher levels of MH-related conditions than men, there is considerable research indicating that both genders are at significant risk of MH problems. The difference in MH rates can be explained by the fact that male individuals experience and express their emotions in ways that current diagnostic methods fail to identify (Hadar-Shoval et al., 2022) accurately. MH among men has been exacerbated by coronavirus-related isolation and should be addressed through health communication (HC).
HC theory and research address the problem of male MH by suggesting that men’s experiences can be improved through proper information exchange. Deterioration of men’s MH is connected to situational and social stressors, and loneliness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression in men (Wilson et al., 2022). Moreover, the isolation required in response to the virus’s spread has led numerous individuals to lose their jobs. Such a factor is crucial for men since work-related factors are linked to MH impairment in males (Hadar-Shoval et al., 2022).
Accordingly, one can argue that men have been at increased risk due to the pandemic. HC has been found essential for achieving health objectives and eliminating discrepancies (Porat et al., 2020). HC is essential for men, primarily because self-disclosure can enhance their MH and reduce loneliness (Wagner & Reifegerste, 2024). As the recent pandemic has negatively influenced the mental health of men, it is necessary to alleviate their conditions through healthcare.
Some recommendations for stakeholders include determining how to encourage men to participate in HC and spreading awareness of HC’s significance. Understanding communication could help with the issue by explaining what may prevent HC among men. I could advise healthcare professionals, parents, and other relevant figures to reduce the stigma toward men voicing their feelings.
What would be helpful to know about this topic is the impact of cultural differences. Medical experts, policymakers, and patients could benefit from learning about the discussed matter, potentially improving the MH of the male population, thereby aiding society. One research question that should be explored is how HC can be promoted in terms of cultural distinction to assist men experiencing MH difficulties.
References
Hadar-Shoval, D., Alon-Tirosh, M., Asraf, K., Tannous-Haddad, L., & Tzischinsky, O. (2022). The association between men’s mental health during COVID-19 and deterioration in economic status. American Journal of Men’s Health, 16(2), 1-11.
Porat, T., Nyrup, R., Calvo, R. A., Paudyal, P., & Ford, E. (2020). Public health and risk communication during COVID-19—Enhancing psychological needs to promote sustainable behavior change. Frontiers in Public Health, 637, 1-15.
Wagner, A. J., & Reifegerste, D. (2024). Real men don’t talk? Relationships among depressiveness, loneliness, conformity to masculine norms, and male non-disclosure of mental distress. SSM-Mental Health, 5, 1-9.
Wilson, M. J., Seidler, Z. E., Oliffe, J. L., Toogood, N., Kealy, D., Ogrodniczuk, J. S., Walther, A., & Rice, S. M. (2022). ‘Appreciate the little things’: A qualitative survey of men’s coping strategies and mental health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Men’s Health, 16(3), 1-17.