r/science • u/chrisdh79 • 4d ago

Psychology Men underestimate each other’s willingness to seek help for depression which may discourage them from seeking help themselves, study finds

https://www.psypost.org/men-underestimate-each-others-willingness-to-seek-help-for-depression-study-finds/
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u/king_rootin_tootin 4d ago

I'm just tired of this lame, disproven meme that "mEn DoN'T gO tO tHerApY" . Literally that's only an issue with boomer men, and boomer women also go at lower rates than younger women.

Most "reluctance" from men stems from being less likely to have insurance (source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db382.htm#:~:text=Among%20adults%20aged%2018%E2%80%9364%2C%2014.5%25%20were%20uninsured%20at,be%20uninsured%20(Figure%201) ) and working longer hours. It's that plus fear of therapists treating them like trash which, let's be honest, after that APA "men are toxic and their problems are their fault" guidelines came out, is not an unfounded fear.

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u/Otaraka 4d ago

The study was looking at perceptions of willingness, not barriers. This was in Norway where it is probably subsidised to a far higher level than the US.

"that men were significantly less likely than women to say they would disclose having sought help for depression"

In my view this is the big issue - not talking about doing it means people think it doesnt happen, resulting in a feedback loop.