Some say men have a habit of refusing to ask for help, especially when confronting medical or mental health issues they may be experiencing.
“Men don't want to seek any type of medical support, whether it be mental health or physical health. A lot of studies and surveys show that men are afraid; that there is some sort of belief that they are weak if they go to the doctor,” says Dr. Delvena Thomas, a board-certified psychiatrist and qualified medical marijuana physician based in Fort Lauderdale.
Changing this potentially detrimental behavior among men is a long-term project that starts with parenting, says Dr. Michael Railey Sr., a psychologist with a private practice based in Tallahassee. “I've got three sons, and I've talked to my sons openly about taking care of themselves,” he says.
When it comes to men caring for their mental health, Dr. Thomas advises them to be self-aware of signs of behavioral changes that could warn of impending psychological distress.
“Anything that's different than their usual routine is typically a red flag. Maybe they're eating a lot more or they're eating a lot less than they usually do. They’re having difficulty falling asleep. They might appear sad. Their libido decreases. That is a telltale sign of depression in men,” she says.
Dr. Thomas describes medical cannabis as a drug of limited use in her psychiatric practice, mostly helping patients cope with anxieties and overcome sleep disorders. But she says it’s safer than some pharmaceuticals prescribed to treat the same issues.
Both she and Dr. Railey strongly warn against self-medicating with non-medical marijuana. With its higher THC levels, recreational marijuana “can cause latent psychotic features to come to the surface really quickly,” says Dr. Railey.
Anyone in a state of psychological distress should seek professional help, says Dr. Thomas, who recommends starting with a primary care physician for guidance. Other resources to consider are healthcare insurers’ lists of in-network mental health practitioners, a community mental health center, or calling the free 211 referral service.
