Masculinity
Men compare themselves against a masculine
‘gold standard’ which prizes power, control and
invincibility. Having a job and providing for the family
is central to this, especially for working class men.
When men believe they are not meeting that
standard they feel a sense of shame and defeat.
This type of masculinity may propel men towards
suicide, as a way of regaining control in the face of
depression or other mental health problems.
More than women, men respond to stress by taking
risks or misusing alcohol and drugs. They use more
lethal, violent and ‘effective’ methods of suicide.