Men in America take their own lives at a rate four times higher than women. Despite this, men as a whole receive treatment for mental health significantly less often than women, with only 17 percent of men receiving any form of mental health treatment compared to 28 percent of women. It does not take a rocket scientist to recognize the disconnect here.

The month of November marks Men’s Health Awareness Month, dedicated to the increase in awareness of both mental and physical health issues that affect men each and every day. Commonly referred to as “Movember,” many men across the nation grow out their facial hair in support of men’s health awareness. Despite the recent rise in public awareness and interest in the issue, men’s health, specifically mental health, is often forgotten and discarded in the deep sea of problems across the world. Mental health is an issue for people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and cultures, yet there seems to be an unnatural spike in a commonality of unacknowledged issues in men.

The life expectancy of men as a whole is remarkably lower than that of women, with men having an expected lifetime of just 76.2 years compared to the 81 years that most women are expected to live. These issues often lead back to the reluctance felt by many men to speak about their health issues, regarding whether they feel ashamed or do not want to come across as weak. Even when men reach out for help, they are often shunned and seen as weak and “un-manlike.” These pleas are ignored, leading to further mental health problems that go unchecked. This inherent belief that all men must remain tough and fight through adversity without the help of others is resulting in the loss of American lives.

Eliminating this stigma is no easy task, however, as it is deeply rooted in the minds of nearly every individual, regardless of age. Junior Colin Peterson claimed that this “negative stigma that men shouldn’t get help when they’re in a bad mental space” will often lead to these men “doing things that hurt the people around them and themselves”.

Sophomore Charlie Quinn spoke on the positive effects of eliminating the negative connotations behind mental health, saying “Once we all feel more welcomed, we’ll be able to as a whole, lift each other up more, and get more done, be more productive, especially in school.”

Besides just breaking down the barriers to men’s mental health, communities can do a lot to try to help solve this issue that has affected millions. By advocating for an increase in spending, the focus can be on finding solutions to mental illness and health, which can become far easier for men to acquire the help they desperately need.

Events such as “Movember” can help to raise awareness and support individuals within a community. Bernards High School has held a “Movember” fundraiser in the past, in which teachers attempted to grow their facial hair out between Thanksgiving and Winter Break.

Growing a beard is not the only way one can show support. In many cases, the best support is simply being by the side of anyone who needs it while they are going through difficult times. It is important to check in with family and friends regularly, as an act as simple as this,  could go a long way in saving a life.

Despite the month of November being dedicated to this cause, mental health affects people every day, every month, and every year. It is imperative that these issues be faced and acknowledged outside of “Movember,” and continuously addressed all year.

We must create a world where seeking help from others is not seen as weak, but as strong. Through recognition and prioritizing mental health reform, we as human beings can save lives and ensure that no further harm is a result of these unaddressed problems.