A divorce can be one of the most challenging events that any person endures, and for men, the issue can be even more difficult. Regardless of the details of the separation, the reality is that divorce still carries a powerful social stigma that can negatively impact a person’s sense of self-worth and mental health.
Men’s rights during divorce are also less clear than the rights a woman can leverage, which can lead to less favorable outcomes for men who are not aware of their options.
In many cases, a divorce can improve outcomes for not only partners but also children and entire families. Approaching this situation with the right frame of mind, resources, and support can positively affect the overall experience and outcome.
This blog is designed to help if you are facing mental health struggles during your divorce, outlining some of the available options in Maryland to help you face these challenges.
The Mental Health Toll of Divorce
For many people, divorce is synonymous with discord and emotion. Men often take a large part of their sense of identity and self-worth from their roles as fathers, husbands, and family providers.
When a divorce alters these roles, men may face a crisis of self. Because men generally maintain smaller circles of friendship compared to women, they may not have as many support resources during this difficult time.
Additionally, men are more likely than women to face significant risks to health and well-being following a divorce, including suicide, addiction, and depression.
In fact, although studies show that both divorced men and women face an elevated rate of self-harm during and following a divorce, the data indicates that men are nine times more likely than women to commit suicide as a result of divorce proceedings.
Many contributing factors can impact this number, from a lack of understanding about men’s rights in divorce leading to less favorable custody and financial division, to having a smaller network of support and resources and an unwillingness to use them.
Mental Health Resources
Men having difficulty during divorce should not feel ashamed; it is natural to experience feelings of loss, confusion, and sadness when a large part of one’s life is changed significantly.
Many resources are available for men in Maryland who are facing the challenges of divorce:
Support Groups
Even if a man has a tight-knit circle of friends in whom he may confide, he may find that their presence and advice do not necessarily address his emotional needs for understanding and empathy during a divorce—especially among friends who have not experienced divorce.
This is why support groups can be a cornerstone in effective mental health care during and after a divorce. Support groups in Maryland include New Beginnings, which is a network of community members focused on marital separation and the challenges it brings.
It is open to non-members and provides not only thoughtful discussion and support but also guest speakers who provide professional insights into the many challenges divorce brings and the best ways to cope with them.
They also host social events to allow participants to maintain social connections after their own in-groups may have dissolved during the divorce.
Advocacy
One of the leading causes of difficulty for men during divorce is how they are impacted by the court’s decisions regarding child custody, visitation, asset division, and more.
Partnering with a legal team that understands men’s rights equips men with advocates on their behalf who can help them fight for their right to fair division of assets and childcare, which can alleviate some of the mental burden.
It is unreasonable to expect anyone to understand all of the complexities of marital law and practice; as a man, seeking an advocate can improve your situation.
Counseling
While meeting with like minded men also going through divorce and utilizing the experience of an advocate can lighten the load, many men also benefit from one-on-one counseling and therapy to address the underlying causes of their mental health struggles, such as depression.
A counselor may be able to help a person identify why they feel inadequate, angry, disappointed, or sad after divorce. By opening up about these issues, counselors can help men clarify their thought patterns and establish a healthy and confident outlook going forward.
Navigate Divorce for Men
Divorce is challenging—not only financially, but also emotionally and even physically. If you are a man facing divorce, it is essential that you partner with legal experts and groups who can help you advocate for yourself to receive fair treatment and the support you need to start building something new.
The legal team at Milstein Siegel can help you navigate the complex field of men’s rights during divorce. Contact Milstein Siegel to schedule a consultation and add us to your support network as another partner in your divorce journey.