Tallwood Men’s Health encourages all men to participate in regular and ongoing healthcare maintenance, whether it’s a urological examination or asking a cardiologist about recent heart palpitations.
Behavioral health is an integral part of that maintenance regimen, but men are typically less likely than women to seek treatment for mental health problems. And when they do seek treatment, it’s often well after the onset of symptoms. Or they delay seeking help until those symptoms become severe.
Fast Facts
- 6 million men in the United States suffer from depression, but only 1 out of 4 has spoken to a mental health professional about their symptoms.
- 19.1 million men in the United States have an anxiety disorder.
- Men have higher rates of alcohol and substance abuse than women.
- Men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide.
How We Can Help
Your behavioral health specialist can discuss all kinds of issues and symptoms, including:
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Phobias.
- Anger management.
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- Smoking cessation.
- Adjustment to difficult situations, like a job change or loss, family stressors, a recent medical diagnosis, or the death of a loved one.
Video: How common is depression?:
Some common medical issues treated at the Men’s Health Center that could be addressed by a behavioral health specialist:
- Sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction.
- Premature or delayed ejaculation.
- Reduced sexual desire.
- Infertility.
- Obesity and weight management.
- Chronic pain.
- Cardiac issues.
- Insomnia.
- Coping with a cancer diagnosis and/or treatment.
- Chronic illness management.
- Medication Adherence.
Sometimes medical issues can contribute to mental health issues and vice versa, which is why we will work closely with your medical providers to address these areas of concern.
What To Expect
During a medical appointment at the Tallwood Men’s Health Center, your healthcare specialist might suggest you meet with our behavioral health provider. This could be a result of concern you’ve expressed about a medical problem or symptoms.
Your doctor will provide a referral and encourage you to set up an appointment at your earliest convenience. When you come in for your appointment, you will be given screening measures to complete in the waiting room. Then you will be brought in for your initial evaluation.
The visit, which lasts about an hour, is an easy, relaxed discussion in a nonjudgmental atmosphere. You will be asked about your concerns as well as background information and previous treatment history, if applicable.
Your clinician will explain his or her approach, which will involve treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy – a common type of “talk therapy.” If, at the end of the appointment, it is agreed that further treatment is warranted, you and your provider will discuss a treatment plan that works for you, including an estimated length of treatment (often in 6-8 therapy visits, or even fewer) and well-defined goals. It may include referrals to other behavioral health specialists, such as psychiatric medication prescribers, when appropriate.
“The experience of being in therapy with a behavioral health specialist can be a very positive one that produces meaningful change and a relief from troubling symptoms,” says Dr. Sabino.
Behavioral Health Network Locations
Men's Health Matters
As a clinical health psychologist with the Tallwood Men’s Health Center, Valeria Martinez-Kaigi, PhD, knows that many men don’t like talking about health concerns, much less starting the conversation – even with their healthcare providers. She’s trying to change that by writing a monthly column called Men’s Health Matters. See her articles below: