25/06/2025
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) profoundly impacts the mental health of all victims, including men. While conversations around GBV often rightly center on its disproportionate effect on women and girls, it's crucial to acknowledge and understand how men also suffer, and the unique challenges they face in seeking help.
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How GBV Contributes to Men's Mental Health Issues
GBV against men can manifest in various forms, including *physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse*, often perpetrated by intimate partners or within other social contexts. These experiences can lead to a range of severe mental health consequences:
* *Depression and Anxiety:* Men who experience GBV are at a significantly increased risk of developing depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. The constant fear, unpredictability, and emotional manipulation inherent in abusive relationships can lead to chronic stress and feelings of helplessness.
* *Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):* Similar to other forms of trauma, experiences of severe or prolonged GBV can result in PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
* *Substance Abuse:* As a coping mechanism, male victims of GBV may turn to alcohol or drug abuse to numb the pain, escape their reality, or self-medicate for underlying mental health issues. This can unfortunately exacerbate their mental health struggles and create a cycle of addiction.
* *Suicidal Ideation and Attempts:* The immense psychological distress, feelings of shame, isolation, and hopelessness associated with being a victim of GBV can tragically lead to suicidal thoughts and, in severe cases, attempts.
* *Low Self-Esteem and Self-Worth:* Abuse chips away at a person's sense of value and confidence. Men who experience GBV may internalize blame, feeling that they are less of a man for being a victim, leading to diminished self-esteem.
* *Emotional Numbness and Difficulty with Intimacy:* To cope with the trauma, men might become emotionally numb or withdraw from social interactions and intimate relationships, making it difficult to form healthy connections in the future.
* *Anger and Aggression (as a coping mechanism):* While not exclusive to victims, some men may struggle with anger management, sometimes outwardly, as a maladaptive way of processing their trauma or regaining a sense of control. This can sometimes lead to further harmful cycles.
