September 26, 2024

Men, Depression and Suicide

Although both men and women usually feel sad and down when depressed, men also tend to become more aggressive, often verbally and sometimes, physically. Also, men are more likely to use alcohol to self-medicate their negative feelings. Partners, family members and friends should pay attention to signs of increased aggressive behaviour and alcohol consumption as possible signs of depression along with the more well-known symptoms such as sadness, decreased motivation and changes in sleep and eating patterns.

For men, loss of a job and/or financial difficulties are major risk factors for suicide. It should be noted that more women attempt suicide than do men, but men are more likely to die from a suicide attempt. Often, men feel like they have failed completely as a partner or father if they have job-related or financial difficulties. Given men’s frequent sense of failure in these situations, in addition to their high probability of dying from suicide attempts, it is extremely important to begin nonjudgmental conversations about these issues and provide ongoing emotional support. Also, it’s important to encourage counselling, psychotherapy or psychological therapy when possible.