Why Men in North Dakota Suffer from Depression and Anxiety
- getwellnesssimplif
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Unique mental health challenges that men in North Dakota face - here's a take from a licensed therapist.
Recent data shows the need to explore the need to better understand depression and anxiety among men in North Dakota, and what the underlying factors are that contribute to these mental health issues.
Depression and Anxiety in Men in North Dakota - The Stats
Broad studies help us better understand the number of people in North Dakota suffering from depression and anxiety:
In 2023, 22.3% of adults in North Dakota reported being diagnosed with a depressive disorder by health professionals.*
In 2023, 29% of adults in North Dakota reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder.**
In 2022 suicide cases, 61% had a documented history of depression and 44.4% had an anxiety disorder.***
Mental Health Challenges in North Dakota - The Factors
Several factors contribute to the mental health challenges faced by men in North Dakota:
Rural Isolation and Limited Access to Care: North Dakota has vast rural areas that can mean limited access to mental health care and services. Long distances to healthcare facilities and a shortage of mental health professionals, prevents timely and effective treatment.
Cultural Norms and Stigma: Traditional masculine identity norms that prioritizes being strong and stoic, can discourage men from being aware and recognizing mental health struggles or seeking help. This cultural stigma can lead to underdiagnosis and untreated conditions.
Occupational Stress in Agriculture: Farming is a high-stress occupation that can create stressful issues like financial uncertainty, unpredictable weather, and physical demands. All these stressors lead to mental strain. Additionally, the perception that healthcare providers lack understanding of farm culture can deter farmers from seeking mental health support.
Socioeconomic: Economic hardships, including poverty and unemployment, are linked to increased risk of mental health issues. Financial stress can create and enhance feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly in communities with limited economic opportunities.****
Addressing the Mental Health Needs
To mitigate these challenges, a multifaceted approach is necessary:
Enhancing Access to Care: Investing in telehealth services and incentivizing mental health professionals to practice in rural areas can improve access.
Community Education and Stigma Reduction: Public health campaigns tailored to rural communities can promote mental health awareness and normalize seeking help.
Culturally Competent Care: Training healthcare providers to understand and respect the unique cultural aspects of rural and farming communities can build trust and encourage utilization of services.
Economic Support Programs: Implementing policies that address economic instability can alleviate one of the root causes of mental health issues.
Online Therapy for Men with Anxiety and Depression in North Dakota
Anxiety and depression don’t discriminate, but for men living in rural states like North Dakota, getting adequate support can be difficult. With long distances between providers, limited availability of mental health professionals, and a culture that often encourages men to “tough it out,” many men end up suffering in silence.
Online therapy has been a great resource for people in rural locations and has proved to be an accessible, convenient, and private way for men to get anxiety and depression assistance from a trusted professional.
Sources:
Aaron Benson, LCSW focusing on Online Therapy for Men
Aaron has almost two decades' worth of experience helping people with different mental health issues including being a substance abuse counselor, health coach, and clinician. He specializes in helping men with anxiety, depression, grief, confidence, and anger issues.
Aaron received a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Brigham Young University as well as a Masters of Social Work Degree from Eastern Washington University. His speciality is helping men in Utah and North Dakota through online therapy services.
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