1. Treatment of mental health conditions.
Tragically, many men who die by suicide are affected by under-treated mental health disorders or untreated mental health issues. Counseling provides the opportunity to diagnose and treating conditions that play a major role in suicide such as depression, trauma, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health disorders.
2. Enhancing coping skills.
Counselling can equip men with important and effective coping strategies to manage stress, compound stress, emotional challenges, life transitions or a life crisis. Men who participate in counselling can gain critical skills such as emotional regulation, problem-solving and stress management. These skills can enhance men’s resilience and ability to navigate difficult situations.3. Promotion of help-seeking behaviors.
Counseling interventions have proven effective in encouraging men to seek help when needed and overcome barriers to their well-being. When societal expectations and stigma around help-seeking are addressed through counseling, it can normalize seeking support while creating a safe space for men to express their emotions and struggles.
4. Building social support networks.
It is important for men to establish and strengthen social support networks, which can serve as protective factors against suicide. Counseling can help men through individual or group therapy (connecting with others who share a similar experience, while fostering a sense of belonging and reducing the feelings of isolation men can often experience.
5. Addressing specific risk factors.
Counseling interventions can specifically target risk factors associated with suicide in men, such as trauma, job loss or related stress, substance abuse, relationship difficulties or poor self-esteem. When Counselling addresses these factors and provides appropriate support, it significantly helps to reduce the likelihood of suicidal ideation.
6. Developing safety plans.
Safety planning is often a critical component in counselling for suicide prevention. Counsellors or therapists work collaboratively with their male clients to develop a safety plan that is personalized, outlines coping strategies, emergency contacts, and important steps and actions to take during a time a man feels of crisis.
Even though an abundance of research supports the effectiveness of counselling in reducing the risk of suicide in men, Michael Dadson emphasizes “It’s essential to recognize that the effectiveness of counselling can vary depending on a man’s individual circumstances”. Again, it’s crucial to ensure that mental health professionals are “trained in evidence-based practices for suicide prevention and utilize appropriate risk assessments and management protocols” Dr. Dadson affirms.
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