Tuan Anh, a 36-year-old man living in Hoan Kiem district, shared his struggles with the pressures of work and family on social media at midnight. However, instead of receiving support, he was gossiped about as being “soft and useless.” Despite working long hours and hard work to provide for his family and fulfill financial obligations, Tuan Anh’s income has decreased in recent years, making it difficult for him to pay off his mortgage and support his children’s education. Struggling to make ends meet, he had to borrow money from friends just to cover his expenses.
Tuan Anh’s mental health deteriorated due to the financial difficulties he faced, leading to arguments with his partner and feelings of hopelessness. Unable to cope with the mounting pressures, Tuan Anh’s emotional distress manifested in insomnia, irritability, and withdrawal from social interactions. Seeking help, he visited Mai Huong Psychiatric Hospital and was diagnosed with a mild anxiety-depressive disorder by Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu, the Deputy Director.
Dr. Thu shared insights from treating various male patients who suffered from chronic stress, anxiety, and depression while trying to maintain a facade of strength and independence. The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and uphold a stoic image often prevents men from seeking help for their mental health issues, leading to further deterioration of their well-being.
Men’s mental health organization Movember conducted a survey revealing the societal pressures that men face to embody traditional masculine traits that inhibit their ability to express emotions and seek help when needed. The toxic masculine ideals ingrained in cultures like Vietnamese society contribute significantly
