OZiva’s Survey: 60% of men have never thought about mental health

India, 09 December 2021: Globally, on an average, men are dying 5 years earlier than women. Men account for a whopping 69% of suicides. To understand these stats better, OZiva, plant-based nutrition and wellness brand, undertook a comprehensive survey to evaluate men’s health and the perception towards the same in the country. The survey was targeted at over 1200 respondents from across the country including both men and women.

The survey brings to light the fact that there are many misconceptions around men’s physical and mental health. 51% of men believe that just ‘feeling fit and fine’ means being healthy. What is even more surprising is the fact that men (53% of them) believe that they are expected to be stronger and healthier than women. And these expectations set by the society are further established with 68% of women also believing that men are expected to be stronger mentally and physically.

Men seem to overlook the importance of mental wellness and have little awareness about its significance and impact in everyday life as well as overall health. 70% of men claimed they have felt sad or lonely to such an extent that it affected their work & relationships. Sadly more than 80% of them feel mental health means going to a psychiatrist or taking medicines. While mental health experts emphasize on speaking openly and getting help, this has become tougher for men as many men confess to being judged and ridiculed for expressing their emotions openly.

Key observations from men’s responses:

• 79% of men are highly concerned about physical health however have limited understanding of what ‘being healthy’ means with most of them considering feeling fit as being healthy
• 60% of men have never thought about mental health. And 40% of women admit that they feel men are less likely to feel emotionally weak, stressed etc.
• 27% of men have felt embarrassed or have been judged for openly speaking about mental and physical health. 38% women admit to judging men for displaying their emotions like crying.
• 33% of men have never spoken about mental health to anyone.

Speaking on the survey, Aarti Gill, Co-founder, OZiva said,”While speaking to a few of our consumers, we realised that there is a huge difference in the way ‘being healthy’ is perceived between men and women. This prompted us to do a nationwide survey to understand this situation better. Mental and physical health shouldn’t be differentiated by gender as this is something that should be important for everyone. This survey results reiterates the fact that men’s health needs to be spoken about much more. At OZiva, we have always tried to initiate conversations, educate and empower individuals to be healthier. We aim to make health gender inclusive so that men and women are able to lead a holistic life.”