Due to the way young boys are socialised in education and in society, their ability to deal with emotions has been systematically undermined from a young age. Men are taught that certain aspects of their personality are not acceptable, they are taught not to cry or express in words, how they are feeling. In school, they're shown there are certain games they should play, activities they should take part in, and rarely are they encouraged to engage in their feelings.

Television and advertising are a large part of the issue, due to the picture they paint of what a 'real man' looks like. Men are bombarded by images and perceptions of masculinity, muscles and bravado, and slowly over time, they are made to believe that being a man entails specific criteria. If they do not tick certain boxes, they are not 'man enough'.

These perceptions of masculinity can lead to a deep sense of shame permeating throughout male culture. The perceived definition of what it means to be a man is not only outdated and ridiculous, but harmful, not only for the men of today, but those of the future, who see this as the only way of being. The idea that men are to remain strong, silent and capable is a total myth.

Why don't men discuss their feelings or emotions?

Over three million men in the UK have a mental health difficulty, and the charity Mind previously found that 37% of men in the UK feel worried or low. The top three issues playing on their minds were job security, work and money.

So, what is the cause of such high numbers of men experiencing mental health difficulties, and why do they find it so difficult to discuss? Here are some common reasons that men may find it difficult to speak about their issues.

• Men often stigmatise themselves, leading to a deep sense of shame about having a mental health difficulty
• Men are often embarrassed to admit to others that they struggle, even if their troubles are considerable, and struggle to seek help
• Men often 'put up' with relatively minor difficulties, meaning these can become larger difficulties
• Men often don't display traditional symptoms of mental health difficulties, and may instead 'act out', through drug use, alcohol or aggression
• All of these factors can lead to mental health difficulties being undiagnosed or overlooked