Abu Dhabi: Psychologists have reported that social norms force men to feel ashamed or embarrassed if they lose their ability to compose themselves in the face of situations they encounter.
They said it is common for men to be less emotional than women, and this means – in the opinion of the majority – that they should not show any signs of weakness, no matter how harsh or complicated the circumstance or situation they face, noting that “these beliefs can cause great psychological stress.”
Doctors identified the main reasons why some men hesitate to seek support or consult a psychiatrist, including:
- A stereotypical image of masculinity and its conflict with showing sadness, fear, or weakness.
- Avoiding the societal view that makes him appear weak or incapable of taking responsibility.
- Difficulty expressing feelings due to not being accustomed to it since childhood.
- The belief of many that they can overcome psychological problems on their own, without help.
- Confusing psychological strength with suppressing feelings, thinking that it is evidence of toughness.
- Not recognising psychological symptoms.
- Fear of the impact of psychological treatment on the social and professional image.
- Preoccupation with responsibilities and financial pressures.
- Weak awareness of the usefulness of psychological treatment.
- Postponing attention to mental health and replacing it with immersion in work or isolation, or the use of harmful substances.
Psychological balance
Dr. Medhat Al-Sabahi, a consultant psychiatrist, stressed that paying attention to mental health is not a sign of weakness, but rather an essential step to promote psychological balance and improve the quality of life and general health of men, especially since psychological problems can negatively affect daily habits that contribute to promoting physical health, such as sleep, nutrition and exercise.
He said that neglecting mental health not only affects emotional stability, but also contributes to the exacerbation of many health and physical problems, and may negatively affect an individual's professional performance and productivity, and lead to economic losses as a result of wasted working hours and a decline in the quality of achievement.
He explained that stress, anxiety, and depression affect concentration and the ability to make sound decisions, slow down the completion of tasks, and may increase rates of absenteeism or attendance with a weak ability to perform, which increases the likelihood of errors. Moreover, the accumulation of professional pressures and the lack of sufficient support may lead to psychological burnout, loss of passion for work, and a decline in the quality of communication with colleagues and teamwork, in addition to physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disorders, and fatigue that deplete the employee's daily energy.
He pointed out that the most prominent psychological disorders that men may suffer from include depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders related to psychological problems, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, in addition to eating disorders.
He warned that ignoring symptoms or delaying seeking specialised medical help could worsen the condition and increase its impact on the patient's life, family, and community.
Misconceptions
Dr. Amir Javed, a consultant psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City, confirmed that some social beliefs still link masculinity to toughness and the ability to withstand pressures without being affected, which reinforces the belief that men are less prone to psychological disorders.
However, mental health is not related to gender or age, as a person may face circumstances and pressures at different stages of his life that affect his psychological balance and require care and attention. He pointed out that the factors affecting mental health are not limited to social and emotional conditions, but also include physical causes, such as hormonal disorders, and a deficiency of some vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin D, and hypothyroidism, which requires a medical evaluation to determine the causes and choose the appropriate treatment, whether by compensating for the nutritional deficiency or using medications when needed.
He stressed the importance of promoting awareness of mental health from childhood, by helping children and adolescents understand their feelings and express them freely without ridicule or belittling them.
This places a fundamental role on parents in supporting the psychological and social development of their children, as ignoring their feelings or demanding that they hide them may lead to low self-esteem, fear of others, a tendency towards isolation, and difficulty in building social relationships.
He called for a review of some inherited phrases, such as “a man doesn’t cry” and “be a man,” which are used to prevent a child from expressing his sadness or weakness, explaining that crying is a natural human response that does not diminish a person’s strength, and that proper upbringing is based on teaching children to understand their feelings and deal with them instead of suppressing them, which enhances their psychological balance and their ability to communicate and ask for help when needed.
Therapeutic concerns
Psychiatric consultant Dr. Nawfal Iyad stressed the importance of highlighting men's mental health, noting that psychological disorders can affect anyone and negatively impact their health and quality of life, especially since the pressures associated with the idea of the ‘ideal man’ drive many men to strive to appear strong and dominant, which may lead to tension, anxiety, and other psychological disorders.
He pointed out that some men's fears of the potential side effects of certain medications, particularly their impact on fertility, can be addressed by using appropriate treatment alternatives, and some cases do not require the use of medications as part of the treatment plan.
He warned that the social stigma associated with mental health may lead sufferers to hide their suffering or delay treatment for fear of being judged or discriminated against, which may exacerbate psychological disorders and social isolation, reduce quality of life, lower self-esteem, and weaken performance. He pointed out the importance of making the patient aware that he is not alone in this experience, encouraging him to seek medical help and trust in the effectiveness of treatment, in addition to providing family support, active participation in the treatment plan, maintaining activity and social communication, and avoiding isolation.
Family support
Social and psychological specialists Ahmed Abdel Salam, Nadine Mansour, and Sarah Al-Khatib stated that families' concern for their children's health should not be limited to monitoring physical symptoms. They noted that some parents overlook a student's psychological state as long as they are not complaining of pain or fatigue, despite changes in behaviour, a decline in academic performance, sleep disturbances, a tendency towards isolation, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
These specialists emphasised that such signs warrant attention and follow-up. They stressed that observing these changes early and addressing them consciously contributes to understanding the child's needs and providing appropriate support before the problem worsens.
They pointed to the importance of building daily communication based on trust and dialogue between parents and their children, by dedicating time to listening to them and encouraging them to express their feelings and fears without blame or belittling their experiences.
They also emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the family and the school and seeking help from a psychologist or social worker when psychological difficulties are detected. They noted that comprehensive care begins with paying attention to what the child is feeling, not just to their physical symptoms. What he is complaining about physically.
143 facilities for mental health
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi confirmed its continued development of an integrated mental health system, moving from responding when needed to proactively providing ongoing support to individuals, thereby enhancing their quality of life and addressing their needs before challenges escalate. It also confirmed an 81% increase in the number of mental health professionals since 2022.
It added that it had drawn up plans to double the patient capacity over the next two years, ensuring the provision of specialised services that meet the growing needs of the community.
The department said that it has integrated mental health services within primary care centres, by training more than 1,930 family doctors to diagnose and manage common mental conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which allows individuals to get support from the nearest point to them, with the possibility of referring them to a specialist when needed.
It pointed out that the emirate currently has 143 mental health facilities, including 13 specialised centres, in which 640 qualified specialists work, within an integrated system that ensures the continuity of care, and directs cases to the most appropriate level according to their needs, which enhances the efficiency of service delivery, and improves its outcomes.
Dedicated hotline
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi has activated the 800-Sakina hotline to provide psychological support services at any time, in a step that is consistent with its commitment to protecting the health of community members and promoting their psychological well-being.
The hotline provides primary mental health care services, along with direct access to qualified mental health professionals for immediate support when needed.
The Department also made available a mental health self-assessment tool through the TAMM platform for adults aged 18 and above, enabling them to better understand their mental health, receive personalised recommendations, and seek specialised support and advice when required.
The Department's Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre launched several initiatives to raise community awareness and change attitudes towards mental health, most notably the interactive ‘Beauty of Our Minds’ experience, which provided platforms for community dialogue, helped break down the stigma associated with seeking support, and promoted the understanding of mental health as a natural part of human life.