harmfully rigid emotional inexpression a rigid belief that aggression and violence are ways to solve problems or a rigid belief that you cant show weakness or ask for help the men and boys who adhere to these extreme stereotypical attitudes are the ones at most risk for physical psychological and social problems mckelley said he emphasized that masculinity isnt under attack but also said that in a perfect world we wouldnt describe traits as belonging to one gender or another because all of these thingsall humans experience them the controversy distracts from real medical and mental health challenges that boys and men face men are more likely to die from cancer and cardiovascular disease than women are and its likely because they arent seeing doctors for preventive screenings as much as women mckelley said noting that this could be because they are taught to appear strong and that they shouldnt ask for help when a problem comes their way that same train of thought in which men suppress their needs and emotions might also contribute to the higher rates of suicide among men when compared to women in the us that is a public health problem men are less likely to seek help along the way or earlier on in the process so it becomes the last final resort of overwhelming emotional pain mckelley said more neil degrasse tyson denies sexual misconduct allegations additionally more men are perpetrators of violence than women and men are more likely to die by murder than women mckelley said if some boys and men are socialized to respond to conflicts or extreme emotional stress by reacting with aggression and violence that puts themselves and others at risk he said stock photogetty images the guidelines are intended to help clinicians adapt to a variety of issues and needs in men they are designed to help psychologists think about men in more complex ways and talk to their clients about things they might not have been trained in or thought about before mckelley said its important to recognize that certain masculine traits can be helpful in some situations but harmful in others for example stoicism and a tough demeanor might help someone who is in a crisis situation like a first responder but those same qualities can destroy a romantic relationship we are encouraging psychologists to think about how to support men in more adaptive ways more alyssa milano trumps claim of a scary time for young men because of metoo is a fear tactic like all humans men are complex the guidelines mckelley said recognize that there are both men who have high amounts of privilege and men who are struggling men who are overworked and men who experience consistent racial discrimination bias and oppression the guidelines offer psychologists ways to understand that complexity and open traditional conversation or ways to think about some of the problems that men and boys face many men for example might not realize that they have depression