Mental Health is a burning issue today.
Whether it be a scapegoat for violence or used as a blanket term for so many nuanced conditions, the conversation never breaches the topic of actually getting help. On top of this, there is such a predominant social stigma that men seeking help are perceived as weak.
I started therapy for myself a little over a year ago. I have trouble being mindful of my mental state and communicating how I feel. Over the last year, I’ve learned tools to better understand my needs, as well as the hows and whys of my almost complete ineptitude at clearly articulating how I’m feeling.
This whole journey spurred my interest in learning more about how other men are getting help, and I wondered what they're experiencing. I was wholly unprepared to learn that so many have sought help and couldn’t find what they needed, and to learn that our system, whether for veterans or even the private sector, is not set up to provide the much-needed service.
After talking to a small slice of our community, interviewing them, and having a conversation about mental health, I’ve learned so much. A few things stand out from all of this.
- Finding the right provider is essential for your journey. It may not be the first, second, or third person, but there is someone out there who will be the right person to help you.
- Mental health is as important as physical health, but it’s not treated as such. We need to make it a higher priority so it’s more accessible to everyone.
- You must constantly work on your Mental Health; there’s no cure, but a constant upward journey of self-improvement.
- Lastly, you’re not weak for seeking help.
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Searching for help? Talk to your friends; they may have a recommendation of who to go to, or talk to your primary care physician.
If you’re in dire need: Dial 988 or go to:
Special Thanks
A gigantic thank you to all who participated in this project. Without them, I wouldn’t have learned so much.
