Researcher calls for open discussion on men’s mental health issues

Men, due to embedded and taken for granted expectations of masculinity often find it difficult to talk about their emotions. This, however, leads to a variety of problems from a lack of communications in various types of relationships undermining trust, to mental health issues among men that go unaddressed. In Malta, according to statistics from 2022, a shocking 80% of suicides are committed by men – with slightly lower figures registered in countries like the UK and Canada at 75%.

Newsbook Malta spoke with Dr Erika Galea, an educator, researcher and the Director of Educational Neuroscience Hub Europe (Malta), about men’s mental health. We spoke about how her work as an educator often exposes her to the challenges relating to dominant models of masculinity and how these negatively impact men’s mental health.

At heart of the issue, are societal expectations – rarely sufficiently deconstructed – that often expects men to hide their feelings, based on old ideas of what it means to be ‘manly’. This includes teaching boys to be ‘tough’ and handle problems on their own, giving the impression that showing emotions is a sign of weakness.

Societal expectations deny men opportunities to address emotional distress

Dr Galea began by explaining that the suppression of emotions denies men a critical outlet for stress, anxiety, and sadness, leading to an accumulation of unaddressed emotional distress. “Over time, this can be shown in various harmful ways, including increased aggression, substance abuse, and the development of anxiety and depressive disorders,” she stated.

“This emotional isolation, stemming from the inability to constructively express emotions, not only delays the formation of deep and meaningful personal relationships but also deepens feelings of loneliness and despair”.

She noted that the shame attached to mental health problems, especially for men who are expected to be ‘strong’, stops many from getting help. “They worry that admitting to these struggles might make them seem less ‘manly’, further keeping them in silence and suffering. This resistance to seeking help not only hinders treatment but can also have fatal consequences, as evidenced by the higher rates of suicide among men compared to women,” she explained.

“Suppressed emotions can erupt as anger or frustration, undermining trust”

Dr Galea continued by explaining the effects of this model of masculinity on personal relationships – whether in romantic relationships, friendships or in the relationships with one’s family. In all of these, the effects of unacknowledged emotions and frustrations are always negative.

She noted that, in romantic relationships, a lack of emotional regulation might result in poor communication, as men may struggle to express their feelings, needs, or concerns effectively. “This inability to share emotions can leave their partners feeling disconnected or unsupported, promoting resentment and misunderstanding. Additionally, suppressed emotions can suddenly erupt as anger or frustration, leading to conflict and undermining the trust and safety essential for a healthy relationship.”

Meanwhile, in friendships, she noted that the inability to regulate emotions can prevent the development of close, supportive bonds. “Men might withdraw or isolate themselves, especially during times of stress or emotional turmoil, believing they must handle their problems alone. This isolation can prevent the formation of deeper connections, as friends may perceive them as distant or disinterested”.

Within family dynamics, emotional regulation issues can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding among family members. “Men who cannot express or manage their emotions may unintentionally create an environment where open communication is stifled, and emotional closeness is limited,” she explained. “Children, in particular, learn emotional behaviour from their parents, so a father’s difficulty with emotional regulation can have a lasting impact on how his children express and manage their feelings”.

Thus, an inability to properly address suppressed emotions, can negatively affect a wide spectrum of men’s relationships with others – whether in friendships, romantic relationships, or familial ones.

“We need to encourage open discussions on emotions and mental health from a young age”

She said that addressing these difficulties requires a cultural shift towards a more inclusive understanding of masculinity and men’s mental health, one that gives more importance to emotional expressiveness and vulnerability as strengths rather than weaknesses, she emphasised.

“Encouraging open discussions about emotions and mental health, starting from a young age, can help break down the stigma and provide boys and men with the tools they need to tackle their emotional lives healthily,” she stated. “The change from suppression to expression and understanding of emotions is vital for the mental health of men and the overall well-being of society”.

When they are unable to handle these emotions alone, she emphasised that it is vital to encourage them to seek support until they are confident to manage independently.

Schools can help to redefine notions of masculinity

Asked what schools can do to better model and teach emotional regulation to boys, Dr Galea highlighted the importance of integrating social-emotional learning into schools and the curriculum.

“Schools have a unique opportunity to challenge and redefine traditional norms of masculinity and emotional expression by emphasising emotional intelligence,” she explained. “This begins with the incorporation of social-emotional learning programmes into everyday learning.”

Social-emotional learning teaches important everyday skills such as emotional regulation, relationship skills, social awareness, and decision-making. It acknowledges the link between emotional well-being and cognitive performance, and has been shown to improve the wellbeing of students and teachers. She said that the integration of such programmes should be done holistically.

“These programmes are pivotal in teaching students how to understand and manage their emotions, empathise with others, and develop positive relationships, setting the foundation for healthy emotional regulation from a young age.”

Dr Galea also said that teachers and staff have a crucial role in modelling emotional regulation. The importance of this, she said, “cannot be overstated”. “Through their daily interactions, educators can demonstrate how to appropriately express feelings, manage stress, and resolve conflicts, serving as living examples of emotional regulation in practice.”

“Tackling men’s mental health issues requires an approach that goes beyond educational settings”

The teaching of emotional regulation, however, cannot simply start and stop in the classroom. Dr Galea noted that for men’s mental health issues to be properly addressed, changes also need to take place in wider society. This begins with actively changing how society views mental health and reducing the stigma around these issues, especially for men.

“It is important to question and change old-fashioned gender stereotypes that usually stop men from sharing their feelings,” she stated. “We should promote an environment, where talking openly about emotions and vulnerabilities from a young age is encouraged”.

In the workplace, she noted that introducing mental health policies, such as mental health days, flexible working hours, and providing resources for support, alongside awareness and training programmes for employees and management, can significantly contribute to recognising and addressing mental distress early on. Good relationships with co-workers and superiors can also support mental health in the workplace.

Boys need safe spaces where they can share their feelings

Crucial to opening this discussion on men’s mental health is the need for safe spaces where men can discuss what they are feeling without being judged. Dr Galea said that creating safe spaces for boys and eliminating stereotypes that link masculinity with emotional suppression are critical. This needs to be done both inside and outside of the classroom.

Counselling and mental health resources within schools should ensure that boys have access to professional support to help tackle complex emotions and develop personalised emotional regulation strategies. Meanwhile, policy and legislation should ensure that such services are also available to the wider public.

Within an educational context, she said that engaging parents and guardians in discussions about the importance of emotional regulation and how it can be supported at home is equally important. Educational sessions for parents can extend the principles of emotional intelligence beyond the classroom, reinforcing these critical skills in the home environment.

Ultimately, tackling men’s mental health requires changes in attitude across different segments of society. However, doing so means that men can form more mature and honest relationships with themselves and others. This can improve not only their wellbeing, but also that of wider society.

“By promoting emotional intelligence in boys, we are nurturing a generation of men who are not only healthier and happier but also more empathetic and engaged, particularly in their friendships, relationships and marriages,” she concluded.