3 Ways Digital Tools Help Men to Get Mental Health Support

Think about three people with whom you are friends. Statistically, one of you will end up suffering from mental health issues during your lifetime. Whatever the circumstances, dealing with mental illness is a highly challenging thing to experience. Regardless of gender, mental illness doesn’t discriminate. However, mental illness can result in different symptoms in men compared to women. For instance, depressed men might seem angry and irritable, while depressed women feel withdrawn or sad. Moreover, it is also harder for men to receive treatment than women as some see it as a sign of weakness.

That said, asking for help is not the only thing that men struggle with nowadays. According to various studies, men find establishing social connections extremely challenging as well. In addition, people link masculinity with being resilient and strong. However, such misleading claims are amongst the few reasons men are more likely to suffer from depression. In the end, the underlying problem is that how can we change a man’s perspective of asking for help? Are there only social evils, or are there more prevalent stigmas attached to mental issues? 

Rising mental health issues

In today’s fast-paced era, mental health issues are skyrocketing. People have become susceptible to social problems and personal challenges that lead to deteriorating mental health. Many people are victims of depression, burnout, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, to name a few. Given this public health issue, health organizations are continuously working to tackle mental health diseases alongside mental health stigmas. Consequently, it has propelled the mental health discipline to develop and expand worldwide. Today, people are venturing into this field to aid the ailing and devise coping mechanisms. Suppose you possess the zeal to tackle the mental health issues of our society. In that case, this field can serve as a prosperous endeavor. Plus, given the ease of online resources, you can quickly make your way into it. Most healthcare aspirants pursue an online MPH degree to pave their way into healthcare fields. Undeniably, technology provides vast benefits to those suffering from mental health issues and those willing to tackle them. 

Technology continues to evolve and advance by leaps and bounds. Mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, and cell phones provide researchers, doctors, and the general public new ways to understand the importance of mental well-being. Today, we will look at some ways digital tools help men to get mental health support.

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Through Mobile apps for depression and anxiety

Men who experience PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, or anxiety usually don’t prefer reaching out to others for help. As a result, most of them acquire mental health support through digital tools that provide them with a wide range of therapy regimens. That is precisely where depression and anxiety support apps step in.

Such apps utilize various tools and methods such as mental health assessments, mood tracking, and CBT to provide men with the support they need. For example, the android App Moodpath utilizes mood-tracking questions related to your thoughts and feelings to identify the presence of anxiety and stress-related symptoms. The app then creates an e-report that you can share with your primary care physician. It also has a vast library containing more than 150 CBT exercises and videos.

Another example is PTSD Coach Canada. Veterans Affairs Canada developed this app to help soldiers manage their war-related trauma symptoms. In addition, it has various educational materials and resources for men looking to acquire professional help.

One more example of such an app is Anxiety Canada’s Mindshift CBT mobile app. It targets men who suffer from moderate to mild anxiety and focuses more on CBT techniques to help them manage their symptoms.

Through Video counseling

Men who live in remote locations where support is challenging to acquire can opt for video counseling means. In addition, men with mobility issues or men who prefer alternative support methods can also receive mental health support through video counseling. Several services and platforms in the United States and other countries offer men access to certified counselors via video counseling on their smartphones, tablets, or computers.  

For instance, Tranquil is an android app that provides men with video-based counseling. It has CBT options for various mental health issues like addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and much more. It offers individuals a 50-minute session which costs around 130 dollars, with an option of paying for the session through your medical insurance.

Through text-based Crisis support

Whether men are grappling with complicated feelings or are in the middle of a suicide attempt, crisis support might be the only thing to prevent self-harm. The distressed individual can send a text message to a trained mental health professional or volunteer who can help them reach a calm state of mind.  

For example, Crisis Text Line is a free and round-the-clock service that provides young men with the mental health support they need. You’ll usually have to send a text message to 686868 to connect with a crisis handler to share the issues that are bothering you. Typically, the handler will guide you through your problems and ensure that you are calm and relaxed.

Another example of a text-based crisis support service is Ontario Online and Text Crises Service. It provides help to men who have suicidal tendencies and thoughts. The service is usually available from 2 pm to 2 am.

Conclusion

Digital health tools can provide men mental health treatment sooner rather than later. It also empowers them to conquer their mental health issues, reducing the risk of problems turning into something more serious. Plus, with COVID-19 keeping people away from the doctor’s office, digital mental health tools and apps provide men with a safer alternative. They can tackle depression, anxiety, stress, and much more with the excellent means of technology.