Counselling stigma gradually lifting

The pattern is largely similar, globally and in TT , local psychologist Marisa Morgan told Newsday. Although, she said, perceptions, generally, toward counselling and mental health are changing in TT , men were still less inclined to seek help for mental health problems.

Website, the goodtherapy.org says, “Men’s issues can refer to a number of concerns that may affect mental or physical health and well-being and lead men to seek therapy. Statistically, men do not typically seek therapy in high numbers, but when they do, they generally report the same types of concerns that might lead anyone to seek therapy, such as depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship concerns.” The UK counselling website said , it was difficult to assess whether mental figures, especially with men, represented what was true as many cases went unreported and undiagnosed.

Morgan told Newsday she recognised, from her own practice, a difference in males and females seeking counselling, in terms of women being more likely to seek help.

She said this pattern was not only seen in TT but also in the rest of the world. Men, she added, were less likely to admit distress because of how they were socialised.

For men, she added, not admitting stress, problems and negative emotions to others was perceived as strong.

Morgan said women were more likely to seek out counselling since women were more likely to talk to and communicate with others. Men might use other methods like turning to alcohol, she said.

She said people responded to stress in two ways, by internalising or externalising their issues. When people internalised issues they were more likely to have negative thoughts, experience depressive symptoms and anxiety.

“We have some clients who would come to the clinic and it is because they have been internalising.

That pain that they have been experiencing, they turn it toward themselves.

Some people may even have suicidal thoughts; thoughts of harming themselves in different ways. You have other individuals now who, under stress and pressure, tend to externalise.

They act out. They become disruptive and maybe more aggressive. Things like that. What you will find more often, with men, is that they will externalise,” she said.

When asked if there was still a societal stigma attached to counselling, Morgan said there was still a stigma attached to mental health. “For example, the clinic where I work many clients would tell you they feel ashamed even dropping out of a maxi to come into the clinic because there is a big sign which says mental health. Unfortunately many persons associate mental health issues with being mad or crazy.

What they don’t recognise is that we all deal with problems in different ways.”