A general notion that is prevalent about suicide is that it is a gender-neutral issue. In reality, the problem affects males far more than females. Research has shown that a huge suicide gap exists between men and women, and the suicide rate is much higher among men. The global data available from Statista shows Russia ranked first in the world among a group of selected countries with the highest male suicide rate, at 38.2 per 100,000 population in 2019. It was followed by South Africa and South Korea, ranking at #2 and #3, respectively. The astonishing fact is that male suicide rates are significantly higher in most countries. Also, in 2020, men died by suicide 3.88x more than women. But why are men struggling and what causes them to end their lives prematurely through suicide? Well, male suicide is a highly sensitive and complex issue, and the reasons behind such a substantial discrepancy are wide and debated. Although the reasons for the higher rate of suicide among men have not been fully understood to date, certain factors are known to potentially contribute to extraordinarily high male suicide rates.

Economic Pressures or Downturn

Financial hardship is one of the leading catalysts for male suicide. Struggling to find a job or poor finances can exacerbate mental health issues for anyone, and men are no exception. Then there are social and economic pressures too. Men are expected to be economically successful, perhaps more than their peers. But when there are economic factors that can’t be controlled, difficulties arise. For instance, when there’s an economic downturn that engenders increased unemployment, it can directly contribute to an increased risk of male suicide. Men in low socioeconomic positions are also at a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts. And as they descend each rung of the socio-economic ladder, the risk of suicide increases.

Economic pressures may have more adverse experiences when feelings of powerlessness, disrespect, social exclusion, and stigma are involved. Such men are compelled to believe that they can do no good to themselves and others. These ‘phantom’ beliefs create pressure on them, and they prefer to end their lives over living with such claims.

Emotional Suppression

High male suicide rates are also known to be associated with emotional suppression. Generally, men discount their feelings to avoid showing weakness or lack of confidence. Although it may be tempting to mask emotions, it can lead to suicidal thoughts in men ensuing from cumulative trauma that affects their ability to communicate authentically.

The gender stereotypes and cultural norms that have been circulating for generations regard women as “sensitive” and those who are socially acceptable to express emotions. But men are always encouraged to hide their feelings. They are conditioned to believe that the outpouring of emotions is not in tune with their male identity as it threatens their masculinity. Because of that, many men suppress their emotions, which can add to their burgeoning stress and subsequently pave their way to suicide.

Male Stubbornness

Male stubbornness intensifies depression in men and can create a toxic cloud for them at home and in the workplace. It becomes a real problem when men cling to their own needs, which, when not met, result in tremendous discontentment and frustration. Such men choose suicide to combat anger and resentment.

Stubbornness in men also makes them believe that their perception is correct. Such men feel reluctant to delegate and sink into despair when someone tries to convince them otherwise, leaving suicide as a way to regain control.

Failure to Act Rightly & Poor Decision-Making

Sometimes, certain men are no longer able to face an overwhelming situation. In such scenarios, they lose their masculinity and divine nature and turn to suicidal ideation. In such scenarios, men fail to understand where to draw the line and try to rely on acts that constitute an attempt to commit suicide. For example, addiction and overreliance on substances leading to substance abuse.

Difficulty making good choices also makes some males vulnerable to suicide. Men who are bound to make risky decisions tend to rely on solutions with short-term benefits despite the high risk. They also struggle to discover alternative solutions whenever problems arise. This difficulty represents a classic trigger for suicidal crises. Such men prefer to choose death and end their suffering instantly, without looking for alternative solutions.

Expectations to Conform

Men who fail to conform to masculine roles are more prone to suicidal attempts. Generally, men are encouraged to conform to socially prescribed gender role norms. They are pushed to live in an idealized construct of ideas about male identity, which includes looking masculine and attractive, acting tough, restricting emotions, and being well-established. Social norms also expect them to play strong leadership roles in their profession and outperform their peers to prove their manliness. On the personal front, men usually carry the burden of society’s expectations of producing kids and raising their families. These expectations, in turn, present problems for them, including the aforementioned economic ones. Also, men who fall short of these rigid notions of manhood are scorned by their families or peers for not being the “real man”. This results in a crisis in masculinity, as such men feel that their masculine traits are not being acknowledged. As a result, they develop masculine discrepancy stress, which can lead to unwanted and undesirable suicidal events.

Poor Lifestyle Choices

It is argued that bad health behaviors prevalent among males can take their toll on their physical and mental health. Bad lifestyle choices and risky behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, dangerous driving, sedentary lifestyle, and erratic sleep patterns, are associated with an increased risk of deliberate self-harm. In addition to suicidal attempts, poor decisions related to one’s lifestyle put them at high risk for serious medical concerns.

The Takeaway

There are no straightforward fixes for global male suicide rates. However, there are potential solutions that can help make male suicides more difficult to complete. Conversing with men and talking about how they feel, providing them with emotional and practical support, and offering encouragement are some ways to beat unwanted scenarios involving male suicide. Men should also be allowed to communicate effectively and convey their feelings without fear of judgment. All these measures may help lower the male predominance in suicide.

What do you think – can these measures help to bring a paradigm shift in high male suicide rates? The conversation must be had, as men are not dispensable to society’s future.