Men’s Mental Health and Tobacco Use: Why It Matters
June is Men’s Mental Health Month—a time to raise awareness not only about mental wellness but also about how certain behaviors, like smoking, can harm rather than help.
Mental Health and Tobacco Use: The Link
- Some men turn to tobacco products, including cigarettes, as a way to cope with emotional stress or mental health struggles.
- However, research shows that using tobacco can increase the risk of developing depression.
- Culture often discourages men from expressing emotions, pushing them toward unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking instead of seeking help.
How Smoking Can Worsen Mental Health
- A study of male college students found that:
- Those with low self-esteem and a positive view of smoking were more likely to start smoking as a coping tool.
- Despite thinking smoking helps, it often worsens personal mental health challenges.
- About 35% of people who smoke cigarettes have a diagnosed mental health condition.
- Among men with serious mental illnesses:
- 70% or more of men with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder smoke.
- Instead of being supported in their healing, many men internalize their struggles and use smoking as a harmful form of self-medication.
The Positive Mental Health Effects of Quitting
- Quitting smoking is not just good for your lungs—it’s good for your mind:
- Reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
- Improved mood and emotional regulation.
- Long-term brain health improves:
- Quitting smoking reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by 6–16%, depending on the person.
- On the flip side, cigarette smokers have a 25% increased risk of developing dementia.
Why This Matters
Many men start smoking to cope with mental health struggles but end up worsening their condition. We must foster environments—at home, work, and in communities—where men:
- Feel safe expressing their struggles
- You are encouraged to seek healthy coping strategies
- Have access to resources to help them quit tobacco and begin healing
