Men’s Mental Health is such a vast topic and there is so much work to be done in terms of transforming how we, as men, and masculine-identifying people approach our emotional wellness. In a world where men are often so focused on appearing strong, in control and avoiding any semblance of vulnerability, making mental health matter by challenging the tendency to perform these less than healthy behaviors in the name of masculinity is needed.
“Know that you are important. We are not machines, we are people and we have feelings, so always focus on you. Focus on your mental health, focus on your self care and everything else can wait.”...
“I was 15 or 16 when I started to struggle with depression. But because my family didn’t talk about it at that time, I didn’t even know that’s what it was… If mental health is something you struggle with, share your story. Tell your story to a friend or to a family member. You never know who you might be inspiring, and it may just make someone feel like they’re a little bit less alone.”
“I dealt with bouts of depression for years. I still do today, but thankfully it’s under control because I found ways to grapple with it. I started by seeking a higher power, meditating, feeding my body and mind, and getting to that place of mind-body-soul, which I think is so critical to mental health.”...
“We think controlling our emotions is keeping it in…but actually that’s the toxic thing for us to do. It’s better to let it out. Remember what you talk about you control, but what you can’t talk about controls you.”
“Maybe it’s being a man, more specifically a black man, I thought I was supposed to just struggle through on my own but trust me that’s not the way. Seeking help is the most powerful thing a man can do.”
“If you’re struggling with something that is mental health-related, don’t struggle alone. Reach out to somebody. Find professional help. You may end up being a happy, smiling person who doesn’t have to fake it.”...
“You can pray and work for your mental health. In addition to my spiritual practice, I can also journal, go to counseling, challenge negative thoughts… and in doing this it helps me to be well.”
“After years of lying about who I was and not dealing with my issues and 22 suicide attempts, I finally got help and realized that you can’t deal with yesterday’s pain and bring it into today. I have to realize I only can deal with today.”
“I learned anger is okay. Sadness is okay. That it’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to feel good all the time. I learned all this through therapy. It was huge.”
“For me anxiety began to be a major issue in middle school. I didn’t know what anxiety was but I remember feeling overwhelmed in crowded areas… Then I got help. I started to implement self-care routines to help alleviate my anxiety. I learned the power of practicing gratitude, the power of self-talk and to be conscious of my diet…”
The Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action is expected to impact how campuses engage around issues of diversity and inclusion. As the leading national organization focused on the mental health of college students of color, the Steve Fund is committed to helping campuses prepare for this ruling’s implications for mental health, emotional wellbeing, and student belonging. This multi-part series is open to higher education professionals, especially deans, vice presidents, faculty, and counselors seeking to learn more about these issues and build effective approaches to addressing them.
