Mental Health Awareness
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month // You're Loved.
TRIGGER WARNING: Before reading, please be aware that this article could trigger certain individuals as it includes discussion of Depression and S*icide. Please continue to read with caution if you’re someone who may be sensitive to these kind of topics. Thank you for taking the time to read.
The month of June has many values and celebrates many different causes. Weather it be school going out for many, Pride Month (which I’d love to talk about in a different post), summer beginning, and much more. Another part of June that has been very widely known more recently is that it’s Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. As someone who has also had mental health troubles in the past, I feel like this should be talked about more and made more of a normal topic of discussion, as it can be so hard for so many men out there who are struggling to talk about their issues and struggles, and in general should be normalized.
For today’s post, as it’s the last day of June, it’s going talk about mental health in general and of course, Men’s Mental Health Awareness.
You’re Never Alone
Truly, you are never alone in your fights. It’s a more broad way to jump into the topic, but it really is so true. In a world like the one we live in today, sometimes we need little reminders like that are needed.
If you feel like there’s no one there for you, no one who cares, no one to talk to, I can promise you there’s people who care. Even if it’s somebody you barely talk to, a co-worker, or a teacher in school, people care and they want to help.
According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), 1 in 5 American adults experience a mental health condition in a given year. 1 in 6 young people have experienced a major depressive episode. 1 in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Lastly, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 in the US.
I list these little facts just to further say how common it is in todays world. Do yourself and others a favor and just be kind. Spread joy and respect, you really never know what someone could be going through. Even if you don’t know someone, compliment their outfit if you like it, ask how a co-worker is doing, check in on your friends, and be able to listen.
If someone asks if you can talk and you truly have no reason to say no, please do them a favor and say yes. Someone who is going through something and is willing to talk to you says a lot for their trust in you and it’s just the right thing to do. They appreciate it tremendously to have a person to simply be present and listen, it really does mean the world, and I can say from personal experience, it makes a huge difference.
I also want to put out there for anyone who may not want to talk to anyone they directly know that The National Suicide Hotline number to call or text is 988. There are operators who are around 24/7, if there’s no one else who is available in your personal life. For anyone who identifies as apart of the LGBTQ+ community, there is the The Tran Lifeline which can be contacted at 1-877-565-8860 and The Trevor Project which can be reached at 1-866-488-7386, and I will include more at the bottom of this post.
All in all, you are never alone during your struggles. There are so many resources available to help in anyway possible.
Men’s Mental Health
As a 18 year old man myself, I won’t be the first or last to say that the stigma around a man’s mental health is still very prominent in our world. It’s the stereotypes, the way people react when a man says that he’s feeling down, the way our minds work as men that really can have an impact, and many other different factors that make it hard for men to reach out for help or even speak about issues.
For many men, they feel like they can’t feel upset or sad ever because it’s not the “manly” thing to do. The “solution” is to hide feelings, forget about them, and pretend they’re not even what we’re feeling or thinking.
People have and still tell their husbands, sons, nephews that you have to just “man up.” According to these people, you can’t cry if you’re a man, you can’t be sad, you can’t be who you want to be because your gender norms and stereotypes don’t go along with it.
All these little things and much more add up so fast and really can take a toll on many because they feel like they’re not validated and not allowed to talk about their feelings. If you’re someone who has a best friend who’s a guy, whether he is a father, a husband, cousin, doesn’t matter, please check up on them every so often, hell, do it right now if you really want to. There’s so many little tiny things we can do to help those who may be suffering. A simple “Hey, how are you?” can be the most genuine thing some are asked sometimes when they’re not doing well.
To put it simply, check in on your friends, check in on your family, co-workers, old friends, anyone you know. It doesn’t have to be everyday, but just a little check-up once in a while can really mean a lot to others. Listening is one of the best things you can do, making someone feel heard and noticed.
As someone who’s been through some depression and other mental health issues throughout the past few years, it sucks to feel like I was invisible to people and to myself. Feeling like no one cared or seeing that no one seemed to notice my struggles was one of the worst feelings for me as a young adult. If there was an instance when someone went out of their way to ask how I was or just sit there and listen to me for a little, that meant the world to me.
Signs of Depression
I know many have already learned and/or generally know the sings of depression, I , but I wanted to review them here just for the sake of a reminder or for anyone who may not know.
The most common symptoms of depression can include:
Loss of interest
Wearing more clothes that are oversized or very warm clothes in hot weather (sweat shirts, long pants, etc.)
Low amounts of energy
Increased amounts happiness or sadness to certain events
Lashing out or getting upset over “little” things
Sleeping a lot more than normal
Mood swings
Keep an eye out for these little things, though. It never hurts to ask someone how they’re doing even if they seem happy, there could always be something else going on.
It’ll All Be Okay
For anyone reading this, who may be struggling, or feel like stuff isn’t going their way at all lately, know that everything will be okay. There are times in life where it may seem like it’ll never get better, or you feel like no one’s on your side, and just don’t believe anything will change, I can tell you it will and does. For any of my own close friends reading this, and for that matter anyone else, I’m always here for you and appreciate all of you, and am always willing to listen or talk if you need. (My socials should be in my bio of the page if you don’t personally know me! There is also any of the hotlines I listed below.) Take care of yourself and your friends. For all my guys and anyone else for that matter reading this in particular, for the last day of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month: know damn well that you are strong, and know you are always loved and appreciated, and there’s nothing wrong with asking for support at any point.
Lastly,
Please, talk to a friend or trusted adult if you’re ever feeling depressed or have any thoughts of hurting yourself. I promise, You Are Loved.
As Always, Thank You For Reading❤
Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Center (call or text): 988
LGBTQ+
The Tran Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Abuse/Assault/Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 OR text LOVEIS to 22522
National Child Abuse Hotline (call or text): 1-800-422-4453
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 OR Online Chat
More resources listed on the CDC link below.
Sources: