November is Men’s Mental Health Month 💚
November marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the often-overlooked issue of men's mental well-being. This month serves as a crucial reminder that mental health is a critical aspect of everyone's life, regardless of gender. Men, traditionally, have faced societal pressures to appear strong and resilient, often at the cost of their emotional well-being. This month, we encourage open conversations about mental health issues that affect men, breaking down the barriers of stigma and silence.
It's an opportunity to acknowledge that mental health struggles are a part of many people's lives and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength and self-awareness. We emphasize the importance of support systems, whether they be friends, family, or mental health professionals, and the need for accessible mental health resources for all.
This month, let's commit to changing the narrative around men's mental health. Let's encourage men to speak openly about their feelings and experiences, and let's listen with empathy and understanding. By doing so, we can create a more compassionate and supportive environment for everyone.
Remember, mental health is as important as physical health, and it's okay to not be okay.
@Jem7Cups
Aww yes, there shouldn't even be a need to separately have a different month just to honor mental health for men, but eh here we are. I guess as a society, collectively, we are doing a lot better with more open conversations and awareness about mental health and emotional wellbeing. I hope this continues to improve.💓
To everyone reading this, your mental health is important and you are deserving of all the compassion and support, just like anyone else.💓
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
i disagree many men are trauma survivors with PTSD and Complex PTSD etc. You need a month celebrating Men’s Mental health. Often ignored and maligned and many are good fathers and many suffer in quiet desperation. More important is International Men’s Day on November.19 which was a long time coming.
@IntuitiveGuide43
That is true, it is really nice we are having a more considerate approach towards mental health.
We are on the same page, except, I feel that mental health should be honored for *everyone* (men included) for 12 months, every year, instead of honoring it just for one special day or month exclusively.
What I mean with that is, that mental health's importance should be so normalized in our society that there's no special need for making it sound like something "fancy" or "extraordinary". Every day should be mental health day for everyone.
I do agree, however, having some of these days help in creating more awareness and bringing some attention. Still, I'd prefer, for such things to be honored more regularly, and be as normalized as possible, like how normalized physical health and seeking a doctor when you're feeling physically-ill is.
Everyone deserves to speak about their mental health and reach out for support. Thank you for being here to offer this safe and non judgemental space too!
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Why we need International Men’s Day.
Men and their trauma have been ignored for decades and decades and their sexual abuse and their physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse and religious abuse and boys are heavily sex trafficked which many don’t know. Men and boys are the invisible survivors and have been for so many decades. And we must also celebrate them as men which is often ignored and that they are also ballet dancers, poets, artists, classical violinists and Cellists etc and serve in the line of duty and many are great fathers and teachers etc. All this is often ignored. We need mental health day for Men and International Men’s Day. It is crucial. And I myself am a survivor, artist, academic, counsellor etc
@Jem7Cups actually even more important it is International Men’s Day on November. 19/2023. Men endure a lot of trauma and many have PTSD and serve their country, and are artists, ballet dancers, nurses, doctors, poets, fathers, law enforcement officers , violinists, Cellists etc Often deprecated and under appreciated and maligned and many are good fathers too.
This is a wonderful reminder to anyone who identifies as a male and may be struggling with their mental health. We want you to know you have a safe space here at 7 Cups to share what is on your mind. Working as a therapist, I have seen that men sometimes find it difficult to share what they are going through as sometimes there is societal pressure on how men should generally be. This means that they are less likely to reach out for help and support sadly and raising awareness is so important.
Thank you Lisa. You do good work. How does someone hire you on 7 Cups? As a trauma survivor speaking for myself I don’t have difficulty sharing my traumas.
I like that you are LGBT friendly and maybe you are LGBT.
Nevertheless you are inclusive of all including men which is wonderful.
Keep up the good work. And appreciating men as trauma survivors etc
I enjoy helping people on 7 Cups. It is a gift I have. And also through academics, life experience etc.
@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
Exactly!
In my country, the traditional culture has been that only women disclose their mental health issues, or the eventual need for professional psychological support.
Still now, most psychologist's patients are female, by far.
There is a mixture of neglect and shame in males, I guess, that makes us avoid the mere idea that we might have a mental health issue and might benefit from professional support.
But this is changing. Young males are much more aware of their mental health issues, and willing to seek professional psychological support.
Anyway, the idea of promoting awareness of the mental health side of men's lives, through some kind of campaign like this one, might be something very beneficial, and have a positive impact on the well-being of the whole society, as male mental health issues often cause from mild distress to severe damage to the people around them, including the women and children in their lives.
@Jem7Cups
Very relevant, well-researched, and well-written post!
Men tend to neglect mental health issues, and this causes many problems for them and for the people around them.
There is an issue around mental health specifically about men in this respect.
So an awareness campaign is very valuable and might promote a healthy positive effect for men and the people around them, including the women and children in their lives.
Congratulations, Jem, on a great post!