Will Boys Just be Boys?
- Mental Health
- Oct 16, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 29, 2018
By Aquila de la Croix
New research suggests mental health issues for adolescent boys need to be more widely addressed.
According to the Centre for Youth Mental Health, in Melbourne, Victoria, young and adolescent boys in Australia have mental health issues that can be linked to westernised expectations of masculinity.
Mental health psychologist Jill Abeshouse said: “I think toxic masculinity makes it very difficult for boys to talk about their vulnerabilities, worries and anxieties about their future careers, relationships, sexuality, and identity.
“Toxic masculinity is particularly toxic for adolescents because their identities are forming, and their self-doubts are generally higher.”
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare state the leading causes of death for young boys aged 15 to 24, is intentional self-harm. However, only 13.2 percent of young men will seek professional help.
To combat this, mental health organisations now attempt to change the stigma around mental health for young boys. Conviction Group is one non-profit organisation which delivers educational programs on issues concerning mental health for boys in high school.
“We want to break down stereotypes and remind boys that vulnerability is OK, in hopes of changing the way in which boys believe they should behave,” said media manager, Naseem Hemmati.
“Schools need to continue the conversation and education of mental health and breakdown the problematic nature of these perceived stereotypical expectations.”
Matt Hampe, a teacher at Carlingford High School said: “As a High School teacher for the past 4 years, I have seen the effects on students in regard to masculinity. . . that it can isolate some students within the school community
“I believe that the first step that needs to occur is a conversation both within the school and at home that allows for issues such as these traditional stereotypes to be addressed.”
Comments