Men's Mental Health Malaysia: Breaking Stigma & Support Through Insurance

Men's mental health remains a critical yet often overlooked facet of wellness. Amid societal expectations and cultural norms, men frequently encounter barriers in acknowledging and addressing their mental health issues. This leads to a persistent stigma surrounding seeking help or support.

As societal attitudes change towards a more balanced and supportive direction, the conversation on men's mental health has gained prominence in Malaysia. This article explores men's difficulties when seeking help and how insurance can help break these barriers and foster an open culture.

What is men's mental health?

Men's mental health refers to their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It includes various aspects, from managing stress, emotions, and relationships to coping with challenges.

However, societal norms often pressure men to conform to traditional roles of masculinity, which can lead to suppressing emotions and avoiding seeking help when facing issues. This could result in conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or even suicide, which sadly affect many men.

Recognising men's mental health involves promoting a culture where men feel empowered to express vulnerabilities, seek therapy, and access support systems without fear of judgement.

It's about fostering environments prioritising emotional well-being, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of mental health for men, and providing avenues for comprehensive care and understanding.

Men's mental health statistics

Globally, men are less likely to seek mental health support, with suicide rates notably higher among men than women. Over 75% of all confirmed suicide deaths are men^[1], a rate four times higher than that of women.

Men are also more likely to be engaged or die due to drug abuse. These results are concerning because they reflect the concept that men are less likely than women to seek treatment and are more prone to engage in risky, potentially dangerous behaviours.

Why is men's mental health important?

Understanding the significance of men's mental health lays the foundation for inclusive and thriving communities:

• Reducing stigma: Addressing men's mental health challenges breaks stereotypes and encourages open discussions, reducing stigma for everyone.

• Healthier communities: Healthy men contribute to stronger families and communities, emphasising the need for their mental well-being.

• Preventing tragic outcomes: Acknowledging and supporting men's mental health can prevent severe consequences like suicide, which disproportionately affects them.

• Equality in care: Ensuring equal focus on men's mental health promotes fairness and inclusivity in healthcare systems, catering to diverse needs effectively.

• Overall well-being: Prioritising men's mental health leads to happier, more fulfilled lives, positively impacting their relationships, work, and personal growth.

 

Common mental health conditions in men

The following are typical mental health challenges faced by men:

Depression

Depression is characterised by persistent feelings of sadness as well as loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It can affect thoughts, emotions, and daily functioning. Depression affects men profoundly, yet societal expectations often lead to underreporting.

Men might display symptoms differently from women, like irritability or anger. Seeking help becomes crucial as untreated depression can lead to severe consequences, impacting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

Generalised anxiety disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) involves excessive worry or anxiety about various events or activities. For men, GAD might manifest as irritability or physical symptoms.

Untreated, it can disrupt daily life, affecting work performance and relationships, underscoring the importance of seeking support and treatment.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) causes intense fear in social situations, leading to avoidance. In men, SAD might manifest as extreme self-consciousness or fear of judgement.

Left unaddressed, it can impair relationships and limit opportunities, emphasising the need for therapy or support to manage symptoms.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder in men involves extreme mood swings, cycling between manic highs and depressive lows.

Men may experience increased risk-taking behaviour during mania and prolonged periods of sadness during the depression. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to symptom management and enhancing quality of life.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder, disrupts thoughts, emotions, and perception of reality. Men often develop symptoms earlier than women, experiencing hallucinations, delusions, and impaired cognition.

Treatment involving medication and therapy aids in managing symptoms and improving functioning for those affected.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in men arises after traumatic experiences, leading to flashbacks, severe anxiety, and avoidance behaviours.

Men might display aggression or numbness. Seeking therapy is vital to address symptoms, improve coping mechanisms, and regain stability after such distressing events.

Men's mental health symptoms

Recognising the symptoms of mental health issues is essential in promoting a comprehensive understanding of men's mental well-being:

• Emotional Signs: Emotional signs involve persistent sadness, anxiety, mood swings, and feelings of hopelessness.

• Behavioural signs: These may include increased irritability, aggression, a tendency towards risky behaviours, and withdrawal from social interactions.

• Coping mechanisms: Men may resort to coping mechanisms like substance abuse, engaging in escapist activities, and embracing high-risk behaviours as ways to manage their mental health struggles.

• Physical symptoms: Men's mental health concerns tend to be accompanied by physical symptoms, including headaches, stomach issues, sleep disturbances, and persistent weariness.

• Communication challenges: Men might face challenges openly expressing emotions due to societal expectations and stigmas surrounding male vulnerability.

 

Why is men's mental health often ignored? Is there a stigma?

Men's mental health in Malaysia is frequently overlooked due to persistent societal stigmas. Traditional gender norms promote the idea that men should be stoic and self-reliant, discouraging them from expressing vulnerability.

This shapes a culture that dismisses or demeans mental health concerns in men. The stigma surrounding seeking help further exacerbates the issue, as men may fear judgement or perceive it as a sign of weakness.

Additionally, many suffer in silence, leading to untreated mental health issues. Raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and fostering an open dialogue can help dismantle these barriers, promoting a healthier approach to men's mental well-being.

Treatment for men's mental health conditions

Treatment for men's mental health conditions encompasses a range of approaches tailored to individual needs:

• Medication: Prescription of antidepressants or mood stabilisers to manage symptoms.

• Therapy: Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and talk therapy, as a means to explore and address underlying issues.

• Group therapy: Participation in group therapy for a sense of community and shared experiences.

• Lifestyle changes: Implementation of lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise and healthy sleep patterns, to complement traditional treatments.

• Peer support networks: Involvement in peer support networks to foster connections and understanding.

• Helplines: Utilisation of helplines as immediate resources for support and guidance.

A comprehensive approach combining medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and support networks can be a more effective treatment for men's mental health conditions.

Does insurance cover mental health?

Many insurance policies cover mental health services, including therapy and medication. However, the extent of coverage can vary.

Insurance policies often include mental health benefits as part of overall healthcare coverage, including outpatient visits, inpatient treatment, and prescription medications.

Individuals must review their insurance policies to understand details, such as co-payments and limitations. Over the past few years, increased recognition of mental health has led to more extensive coverage options.

Mental health insurance in Malaysia

The availability of mental health insurance in Malaysia signifies a positive shift towards prioritising mental well-being.

Tailored to address men's mental health, PRUMan is a critical illness insurance for men that covers gender-specific illnesses as well as supports mental well-being for therapy and treatment. Specifically, PRUMan provides Wellness Care Benefit such as psychotherapy treatment or psychiatric visit due to depressive disorder and/or anxiety disorder. 

The implementation of insurance that supports mental health treatment, such as PRUMan, signifies an expanding recognition of the significance of mental wellness.

How to support men's mental health?

Addressing men's mental health is crucial to fostering healthier individuals and communities. The prevalent stigma surrounding men's mental health issues necessitates a shift in societal attitudes, promoting open discussions and challenging stereotypes.

Recognising the interconnected nature of mental, physical, and financial well-being is pivotal for comprehensive support. The alarming statistics on men's mental health underscore the urgency of breaking down barriers to seeking help.

Initiatives like PRUMan's represent a positive stride toward prioritising psychological well-being. Combining individual self-care, comprehensive insurance coverage, and open dialogue, we can collectively contribute to destigmatising men's mental health and ensuring a more supportive and inclusive future.

Conclusion

Mental health is important for both men and women. Untreated mental issues can lead to unwanted consequences, and thus, awareness of these issues to break the stigma is essential.

In addition to PRUMan, Prudential offers the following comprehensive insurance coverage to ensure future security: Insurance for Young Adults, Investment-linked Life Insurance, Medical Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance.

References

^[1] Breaking Stigma & Increasing Support for Men’s Mental Health, Available at https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/hapiguide/breaking-stigma-increasing-support-for-mens-mental-health/