Men's Mental Health

According to a recent poll by the National Mental Health Association, a large proportion of adult American men does not understand that depression is a disease. When asked if depression is a disease or a "state of mind that a person can snap out of," 64% of women said it was a disease compared to 46% of men.

This lack of understanding manifests itself in a number of tragic ways. American and international business continue to celebrate a work ethic that praises and rewards top executives who can handle more and more stress with less and less sleep. Stress is not only a leading cause of cardiovascular problems; it destroys serotonin, the lack of which causes depression.

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States, costing businesses $70 billion in lost productivity and medical expenditures. Depression is also the leading cause of suicide. The vast majority of individuals who fall victim to suicide are men at the prime of their business and professional careers.

Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, American culture continues to stigmatize mental illnesses. Business and governmental policies also continue to discriminate against the treatment of mental health policies.

In addition, men often perceive that asking for help is a sign of weakness. For that reason, many men who suffer from depression or another mental illness may not seek treatment.
For more information, see Depression under Disorders.

The Sandwich Generation

Do you feel "sandwiched" in between caring for your aging parents and your children? You are not alone. Thousands of Americans face the same situation each day. Caring for an aging parent and raising a child are very stressful tasks when they are done separately, but what if you are doing both at the same time? Many times "sandwiched" caregivers do not pay enough attention to their own mental health. Here are some warning signs that you need to take better care of yourself.

• You cry frequently
• You have given up your hobbies
• You have given up your time with friends
• You become angry over small things
• You have gained or lost more than five pounds in the past few months without trying
• You are exhausted all the time
• You visit the doctor more frequently than before

If you are experiencing these symptoms and have been feeling persistently helpless or hopeless most every day for two weeks, you may be experiencing clinical depression. See your doctor for more information.

Take care of yourself! If you don’t take care of you, you can’t take care of anyone else. These tips can help you take better care of yourself.

1. Consider joining a support group.
2. Ask other people for help
3. Take a break!
4. Rest and relax
5. Eat Well
6. Laugh
7. Exercise
8. Reward yourself for a job well done.

Call our Aging Services staff at 615-269-5355 for more information on "The Sandwich Generation" and caring for your aging parents.

For additional resources on depression, please see support groups or call 615/269-5355.