St Ann's director: Set up more mental health clinics for men

ST ANN'S Psychiatric Hospital medical director Dr Samuel Shafe has advised that more mental health clinics specifically catering for men be set up.

He was speaking on Wednesday at a virtual meeting of the Rotary Club of Port of Spain.

Shafe said according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men with mental health illness were less likely to receive mental health treatment than women in the past year. He added, the CDC also found that more men die by suicide compared to women. He said research showed that while more women attempt suicide compared to men, men tended to complete suicide more often than women as they usually used more violent and lethal means.

"We have to find a way for men to get help for their mental health problems and have access to mental health services."

He said the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) has a separate unit that focuses on men's health, and one of the reasons it was started was because men were not attending the regular mental health clinics. He explained the unit would seek to make the environment as welcoming and as comfortable for men. He added, however, there was no separate unit for men's mental health at the other RHAs (North Central, North West, Eastern and South West).

"It would be nice if other RHAs have a similar setting that focuses on men. Females are not shy about seeking help within the current system."

He provided a list of reasons why men do not talk to doctors about mental health, namely: they will learn to deal with it; they do not want to be a burden; too embarrassed; negative stigma; they do not want to admit they need support; have no one to talk to; or they do not want to appear weak. On the final point, Shafe explained society places a demand on them to be the main provider.

"If they are feeling unwell they fear they will put their families in jeopardy if they admit their issues or have to go into treatment. So they continue to hold on and do not seek help until it is too late."

He added: "Men seek help only if they are pushed to the wall. They do not accept the fact that they are human and at any point in time need help to deal with any problem they are facing."

He reported, locally the most common mental health issues men experience are depression and anxiety. He also said in St Ann's the most inmate patients are men.

Some of the warning signs of mental health problems included: anger, irritability and aggressiveness; noticeable changes in mood, energy level or appetite; difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much; difficulty concentrating, feeling restless or on edge; increased worry or feeling stressed; misuse of alcohol and/or drugs; sadness or hopelessness; and suicidal thoughts.

Shafe said some men with mental health issues stay away from home especially if the situation at home is unwelcoming or there is a lot of stress and tension.

He said most of the stress men encounter are related to their jobs, relationships, families, and day-to-day demands. He stressed it was important for men to start the conversation whether with a religious leader, psychologist or a family member. He added if a family member does not want to listen, they should talk to a psychologist.

"It is more difficult to convince a man to start the process. If they do start, then you have achieved something."