Men’s Mental Health Awareness: Breaking the Silence
It's Men's Mental Health Awareness Week, a crucial time to address the alarming statistics surrounding men’s mental health:
40% of men won't talk to anyone about their mental health.
3/4 of registered suicide deaths in the U.K. are men.
Men have significantly fewer friends than women, with over a quarter of men under 30 reporting no close friends.
In her New York Times opinion piece, "Boys Get Everything, Except the Thing That’s Most Worth Having," Ruth Whippman highlights the crisis, revealing that men everywhere are lonely and find it nearly impossible to express vulnerability. In it she shares one story about a man who ran a Discord community in covid mainly answering technical questions and weeding out trolls. Eventually one call with a boy who shared how depressed and lonely he was led to him developing a reputation as an unofficial therapist on the server. By the time he left Discord around a year later, he’d had about 200 calls with different people, both men and women, who spoke of contemplating suicide. He observed, “With men, there is a huge thing about mental health and shame because you’re not supposed to be weak. You’re not supposed to be broken.”
The Crisis We Face
Under the pressures of patriarchy, boys and men are often denied the most valuable thing: human connection. This contributes to the mental health crisis men face today.
To All Men:
You are seen, appreciated, valued, and worthy.
You are loved and cherished for who you are.
You are abundant, powerful, and needed.
Allow yourself to feel that you are more than what you provide. Your past does not define you. You deserve to be listened to, and your thoughts and feelings matter. We appreciate what you do and need you to take care of yourselves too.
It's Okay To:
Not be okay.
Forgive yourself repeatedly.
Ask for help and support.
Acknowledge when you’re suffering.
Cry.
Be vulnerable with the right people.
Let your shame be seen and loved by someone you trust. Shame is part of the human experience, and we heal it when we allow it to be seen with love.
This Week, and Every Week Remember To:
Show yourself compassion and understanding.
Stop beating yourself up.
Open up a little more.
Reach out to friends.
Take the initiative to connect with people in your daily life.
Take Action
Remember, nothing from the past is meant to define you. You are deserving of love and support. Let's break the silence and support each other in prioritizing mental health. You are far from alone in your feelings, and you are so worthy of support and love.
Share this with someone who needs to hear this message today. Together, we can create a more supportive and understanding environment for everyone.
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