- Speaker #0
When we talk about mental health, it's easy to forget just how many guys are battling tough emotions behind closed doors. I mean, as a counsellor, I see men who finally make the leap to ask for help, but for everyone who does, so many more stay silent. Why do you think it's so hard for men to reach out?
- Speaker #1
It really comes down to the stigma that still surrounds men's mental health. There's this pressure to always appear strong, like nothing can shake you. I remember being a teenager and feeling completely overwhelmed by anxiety, but even then I thought that talking about it would make people worry or judge me or just see me as weak.
- Speaker #0
That feeling of having to bottle it up, it's so common. You hear phrases like man up or tough it out, tossed around, and it's like those words just push guys further into silence. Have you seen that kind of thinking really affect the men you work with?
- Speaker #1
Absolutely. It's almost like... men are trained from early on to hide their pain. By the time many men finally ask for support, they've been struggling for years, sometimes reaching out only when they hit absolute rock bottom. And honestly, I get it because I've been there myself. I hit my lowest point alone in a hotel room thinking, how am I supposed to live the rest of my life like this?
- Speaker #0
That night you described staring in the mirror, finally letting it all out, sounds like a breaking point. but also maybe the start of something new. What changed for you after that?
- Speaker #1
Funny enough, even though it was one of my hardest moments, it was also when I realized I couldn't fake being okay anymore. When I let go of trying to appear strong all the time, that's when real healing started for me. It didn't happen overnight, but just talking, really talking, opened up a totally new path.
- Speaker #0
I think that's what so many men are terrified of, that if they open up, people will see them differently. Or maybe even love them less. But it sounds like the opposite happened for you.
- Speaker #1
Exactly. When I began sharing my story, people actually felt closer to me. It builds stronger connections. And I realized that vulnerability doesn't push people away. It gives them permission to share too. And that's where the real change starts. One open conversation can spark another.
- Speaker #0
That actually reminds me, if we want to break the stigma, it feels like we need to totally rethink what it means to be strong. The old idea was that strength meant silence or going it alone. But what does real strength look like to you now?
- Speaker #1
For me, real strength is about being able to say, I'm struggling and I need support. It takes way more courage to be open than to stay silent. And the best part, once men start talking, it creates these little ripples. Suddenly friends, fathers, even strangers feel safer to open up to.
- Speaker #0
I love that. And it seems like building these safe spaces, whether it's a support group, therapy, or just a trusted friend, is key for starting those conversations. Any tips for people who want to help the men in their lives feel safe enough to reach out?
- Speaker #1
Honestly, just being willing to listen without jumping in to fix things makes a huge difference. Letting someone know you're there, no judgment, no pressure. They might not open up right away, but just knowing that space exists can be a lifeline. and for anyone struggling. That fast call or conversation is the hardest, but it really can change everything.
- Speaker #0
And that's really what it comes down to, right? If we want to end this silent crisis, it starts with making room for honest conversations, one guy, one moment at a time.
- Speaker #1
Couldn't agree more. Every time a man reaches out for support or someone listens without judgment, it chips away at the stigma. It's a small act, but over time it builds a world where vulnerability is valued. and no one has to face their struggles alone.
