"Big Boys Should Cry!" : How Mental Health Practitioners Conceptualise the Effect Mental Health Stigma has on Men in New Delhi, India.

Abstract

Mental health stigma presents a double issue for those suffering from poor mental health. Not only are people with mental health disorders dealing with the symptoms of their disorder but they are burdened with self and public stigmatisation. It is the purpose of this research to analyse how mental health practitioners in New Delhi, India, conceptualise mental health stigma and the impact it has on men who suffer from anxiety and/or depression. This was achieved through the completion of 12 semi structured interviews with mental health practitioners mainly from Sanjivini which is an organisation that works closely with individuals who suffer from poor mental health in New Delhi. The findings from the interviews are partnered with theoretical viewpoints and existing research around hegemonic masculinity and mental health stigma. The findings indicate that mental health impacts both the family and individual due to a lack of understanding around mental health, which then results in denial due to fear of financial instability and social ostracization on a multitude of levels. The research concludes that men are not given permission to be vulnerable in society or do they give themselves permission, as vulnerability is considered to be a weakness. The stigma that occurs for men is that they must be strong and cannot voice their concerns, emotions and hardships. Men shouldn't live in fear of not living up to damaging stereotypes.