The Role of Gender in Mental Health

A 2014 study demonstrated the fact that one in every twenty-five Americans were
reported to be diagnosed and to have lived with a mental illness. Looking at these
numbers, it is easy to recognize the idea that in a school classroom, at least one student is
likely to have suffered from a mental illness.
Due to the overwhelming prevalence of mental illness in our society today, the
nationwide acknowledgement of mental health has greatly improved from its prior state.
In my SIP, I plan to investigate the role of gender in mental illness and how that further
inflicts the recovery process for patients.
This topic is very personal to me as despite the fact that I have never struggled
with a mental illness, many of my friends have or seem to show symptoms that often
concern me. The common theme of a struggling teenage male to refuse help from a
guided professional worries me, and I am interested to discover the manners in which
male attitudes differ from female attitudes towards mental illness, and ultimately the
result of having these differences. I think this is an important topic and idea to be aware
of for all people because it shows how an attitude or point of view really can be important
and can be a vital and changing factor in any process, not just that of treating a mental
illness.
Is there a difference between the way that each gender seeks and receives help for
mental illness? If so, what are the long-term implications that these differences have on
the recovery process and mental state of a patient?
As I begin my research, I expect to find that there is a large gap between the
method in which males and females express their emotions and the attitudes they have

towards mental illness that will in fact greatly influence their recovery process and their
experience with mental illness. As mindsets differ by gender, culture, and overall identity,
the mindset towards mental illness one yields is very influential on his/her experience.
I plan to use many journals and psychological studies in order to properly assess
my topic and the depths of its possibilities. Also, by analyzing data such as notes taken
during psychotherapy sessions, I will be able to gather a better sense of knowledge as to
differences in behavior between males and females in real-life situations rather than
conditional statements. Through this data, I will analyze not only the difference in
character and behavior that males/females portray in therapy or counseling but also the
mental attitudes and opinions towards mental health/illness they possess, including that of
shame. One book I plan on reading is Gershen Kaufmans The Psychology of Shame.
The idea behind shameful attitudes towards mental health is something that is often
overlooked but I see it as an important factor in the recovery process. Depending on these
results, I will also monitor how the plan and course of action towards recovery is affected
by these factors.