Depression isn’t something most men are willing to talk about. Men are still reluctant to share what they’re thinking or feeling regarding their mental health, even in the face of ongoing efforts to address the growing mental health problem among them. Although statistically mental health problems are more prevalent among women than men, men are less likely to speak up about or seek treatment for their difficulties.
Thankfully, depression is a highly treatable condition. There are multiple approaches including talk therapy, group therapy, and medication. You can find thousands of mental health treatment programs throughout the United States, each offering varying levels of care. There are dozens of facilities in the San Bernardino area alone. However, it does not matter how widely accessible treatment is if men aren’t willing to reach out and ask for it.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression in Redlands, CA, outpatient mental health treatment like Into the Light provides a path to hope and healing. We are a men’s treatment facility that understands the unique challenges men face when deciding to ask for help. No matter who you are or where you come from, you deserve the relief that comes from mental health treatment. How can a men’s outpatient depression treatment program help you?
Understanding Depression
Everyone feels sad from time to time. Difficult circumstances arise and disrupt the normal ebb and flow of life. However, depression is deeper than simply feeling down for a day or two. Depression is a silent but relentless mental health condition that causes severe symptoms affecting how you think, feel, and behave.1 There are a few different types of depression, each with slightly differing symptoms, such as:
- Major depression
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Depression with symptoms of psychosis
Depression is a common mental health disorder. 8.8% of the population, or 22.5 million people, experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year alone. 15.9 million of those people experienced an episode that caused severe impairment which affected their ability to manage tasks at home or work, maintain relationships, or manage their social life. Thankfully, 61.5% of the people who reported an MDE received some type of mental health treatment in the same year.2
Depression in Men
Those numbers look slightly different for men. Although about 9% of men reported feeling daily feelings of depression or anxiety, only 25% of those men received treatment from a mental health professional.3 The rate of suicide among men is also four times higher than it is among women. While women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to succeed in their attempts.
People often assume that depression consists of isolation and an inability to get out of bed or leave the house. These are common symptoms in some cases but men whose families rely on them may not have this option. Between the families that rely on them and the stigma that surrounds men’s mental health, they may stuff what they are going through and keep pushing forward.
Symptoms of depression in men can look slightly different than those in women. Common depression symptoms in men may include:
- Escaping or isolating, often by spending more time at work or with hobbies
- Headaches, pain, or digestive problems
- Displaying controlling, violent, or aggressive behavior
- Having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Experiencing noticeable changes in mood, energy levels, or appetite
- Misusing or abusing alcohol or drugs
- Expressing irritability, anger, or aggression
- Participating in risky behaviors, such as reckless driving or having unprotected sex
Benefits of Depression Treatment for Men
Men do not often have the option to skip work due to mental health concerns, especially in Redlands, San Bernardino, and the surrounding areas. You have a family to care for and bills to pay. No matter how awful you might feel, you still need to put food on the table, keep the utilities running, and ensure the safety and security of your family. Taking time away from these responsibilities to care for your mental health probably feels like a selfish or essentially impossible solution.
However, there are numerous benefits of seeking depression treatment that you should consider before writing it off as an option. You might think you are doing a service to your family by refusing to take time away to seek help, completing a treatment program would give you the tools and skills to help you show up more fully and be more present for them in the long run.
The benefits of depression treatment include:
- More fulfilling life
- Better, more restful sleep
- Stronger relationships
- Improved health
- Better performance at work
- Sharper thinking
- Better memory
- Healthier lifestyle
- More control
- Happier home life
When you are in a routine with work, family, and other responsibilities, it is easy to cut your thoughts off and “do what you need to do.” You may not even realize how much your mental health impacts every area of your life. It might seem like your depression doesn’t affect your life very much, but it’s also likely you’ve grown used to getting by despite your depression. Choosing to prioritize your mental health can make a bigger difference than you might imagine.
Men’s Outpatient Depression Treatment Programs
Although more full-time treatment options such as inpatient treatment or a partial hospitalization program may not be an option for men with families to support, outpatient programs or intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are an excellent alternative for busy men. Outpatient programs offer treatment programming one to two times per week. IOP provides therapy services three to five days per week for two to three hours per day.
Outpatient and IOP create accessible treatment options for men with limited time. These programs offer a scaled-back version of many of the services available in more full-time treatment options. They usually include things like:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Process groups
- Family therapy
- Medication management
- Nutritional services
- Holistic services
Another important distinction is gender-specific treatment. Many programs are co-ed and offer services to both men and women. However, when you consider the unique barriers to treatment and difficulties for men, particularly the stigma associated with men’s mental health, it’s important for men to have a space to find healing without the worry of “saving face” in front of their female peers.
If you are a man struggling with depression in Redlands, CA, outpatient programs like Into the Light provide you with an opportunity to seek help while still managing your responsibilities. You can attend mental health treatment without having to take time off of work or leave your family behind. You can still go to work, remain a present part of your family, and sleep in your own bed at night. Outpatient programs are an excellent option for family men trying to overcome their depression without leaving their lives behind.
Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
Depression is an undeniable problem among men in the United States. The same is true for men in San Bernardino specifically, where they are expected to hold things together for their families no matter how they may feel. Despite the many benefits of outpatient treatment programs and the increased accessibility that outpatient programs provide, barriers to care still exist. Some of the barriers to mental health treatment for men include:
- Stigma surrounding mental health and treatment, especially for men
- Time constraints
- Financial barriers
- Limited or no insurance coverage
- Accessibility and transportation issues
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 40% of adults who needed treatment for a major depressive episode did not receive it.2 Again, this number is even lower among men with only 25% receiving treatment for their mental health difficulties.3 Treatment programs like Into the Light recognize the difficulties that can come with seeking treatment and are willing to work with those who want help.
Finding Men’s Depression Treatment in San Bernardino
Into the Light is a men’s mental health treatment program in Redlands, CA. We provide outpatient psychological treatment services for men struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, and more. We understand the unique needs of men living with mental health disorders and provide individualized, comprehensive care to each man who seeks help.
We work with men in Redlands and the surrounding areas, including San Bernardino, Highland, Colton, Loma Linda, Moreno Valley, Riverside, and more. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression or another mental health disorder, reach out to Into the Light today. We offer a range of outpatient treatment services, including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs, to meet the needs of as many men as possible.
We know how hard it is to ask for help but you never have to struggle with your depression alone again. Our team at Into the Light is here to help you every step of the way, from the first time you call us until the day you graduate from your program. You deserve the freedom of relief from your mental illness, and our team at Into the Light wants to ensure you receive it. Call us now or submit an online request form to speak with an admissions specialist and begin your path toward healing today.
References
1. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Depression.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Results From the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
3. American Psychological Association. (2015). By the numbers: Men and depression.
