Sucide rate in men

I read a paper from a Canadian mental health journal written in around
2003. The author was writing about the high suicide rate in men. Canada
has the same problem as the UK.

The author noted the suicide rate across all group in Sweden had reduced
consistently with the increasing prescrption of antidepressants. He
mentioned that the suicide rate for every group studied in the Swedish
population showed the same trend.

In the UK there's evidence to show the men are slightly less likely to
see their GP for mental health problems however it's not surprising
given their generally different externalisations. The lay expectation of
the presentation of depression is 'feminsed' towards acting in symptoms.
The research criteria makes some effort to encompass this difference
however doesn't go far enough to full cover all the symptoms. Obvious in
clinican practice there will be massive variations in diagnosis based on
the level of understanding of psychiatry of various mental health
professionals. The World Federation for Mental Health and Wolrd Mental
Health Day last year (or maybe the year before) was a campaign to
promote the level of psychiatry training for GPs and all doctors.

It is my estimation that in general men (or people of the male
psychological type which would be a more accurate statement) will be
less likely to recognise their symptoms. If they recognise it may be
depression they may carry on regardless because of the traditional male
ideology of toughing it out which is similar to the mindset of many
older people and depression. Their symptoms may be less likely to be
seen for what they are if they see a mental healthcare professional.

These three factors are barriers to getting treatment. There is then
another problem. Men, in general, accept medication or are prescribed
medication less than women from the available figures on antidepressant
use by gender. The evidence shows they choose to self medicate however
self-medication with drugs and alcohol is a lot harder (though a lot
more fun) and can be a lot more damaging to other areas of life.

There is a chance that ensuring more antidepressants are prescribed to
men, and particularly young men, to reduce the suicide rate. There are
clearly several stages where there are barriers to this solution.

I don't see increasing prescriptions of antidepressants for anyone as
the answer to suicide. If depression can be understood as unhappiness
then perhaps my solution would be to ask men and women what makes them
unhappy and try to sort out a society that allows all people to be
happier as a treatment for suicide and depression rather than offering
drugs that make them happier however the latter is a lot easier.