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Hey there, Men’s Mental Health Advocates! ?????
Step into a space where we break down barriers, share stories, and ignite discussions around men’s mental well-being. Together, we can challenge stereotypes, provide support, and create a community that fosters open conversations and healing.
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42 Replies
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Hey everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well. From my experience, I’ve noticed that many homeless men face a multitude of challenges that impact their mental well-being. The lack of stable housing, social isolation, financial stress, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations of “masculinity” can all take a toll on their mental health.
I’m curious to know if any of you have encountered similar observations in your work or personal experiences. How do you think societal expectations play a role in men’s reluctance to seek help for their mental health issues? What strategies or approaches have you found effective in breaking down these barriers and providing support?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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Hi Tony, I wanted to share a personal experience in response to your comment/question that hits close to home. I knew a family friend who faced a tough situation after getting caught up in drug use. Unfortunately, this led to a downward spiral for them. What struck me the most was how not having enough support from the government (services etc), friends, or even family seemed to make things even worse. It got me thinking about the broader issue you mention and highlighted to me upon reflection, how crucial a support system can be for someone facing homelessness.
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Your right Tony about masculinity and how that does for many become a barrier to help seeking. I think us men are changing the narrative, I mean the fact that we have our own forum is a testimony to how far we have come.
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Robert, you’re absolutely right. The fact that we have forums like this is a testament to how far we’ve come in changing the narrative around masculinity. It’s encouraging to see more men opening up and seeking help.
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You bring up a vital point about the importance of a strong support system, especially for individuals facing homelessness. It’s essential for us as a society to recognise the significance of providing resources, services, and emotional support to those in need.
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Jaie, I couldn’t agree more. A strong support system is crucial, not just for individuals facing homelessness, but for anyone struggling with mental health issues. As a society, it’s essential that we recognise the significance of providing resources, services, and emotional support to those in need.
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Joseph, I appreciate you sharing your personal experience and highlighting the importance of a support system for individuals facing homelessness. It’s unfortunate that not having enough support from various sources can exacerbate the situation. Let’s continue to challenge societal expectations, provide support, and prioritise meaningful connections. I have hope that together, we can break down barriers and make a positive difference in the lives of those facing homelessness and mental health challenges.
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I think times are changing, but there is still allot of this going around. I feel more comfortable sharing my feelings, compared to say 5 years ago. I think that’s a reflection on our community. The more awareness campaigns there are such as R U OK day, the more we break down these stigmatising problems in society. I think we all have a role to play, and that’s why i am on here. My mate died by suicide and no one knew, yet we kinda did, in hindsight. I will do everything in my power to not let that happen again. We all have the power to make a change in this world. I believe that.
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Your post got me reflecting. A close friend recently shared a heartfelt response to RUOK day. I fully acknowledge the importance of such awareness campaigns, and I don’t want to undermine the positive impact they have. However, my friend raised an interesting point: if asking “RUOK?” is merely another way of saying “we should catch up soon,” without any concrete plans to follow through? I found it enlightening to read about their experience, point of view, and suggestion that we should all remember to reach out to our friends and ask, “Are you free this week for…?” and arrange a simple and achievable get-together. A brief meet-up could easily transform into hours of sharing and strengthening social support for both parties. This has left me deep in thought. I don’t believe there is a definitive right or wrong in this matter. Ultimately, it’s important to prioritise making time to check in with and reach out to everyone in your network in one way or another. A challenge for sure in our busy, time-poor times.
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Jaie, your reflection on the importance of meaningful connections and follow-through after asking “RUOK?” is thought-provoking. While awareness campaigns like R U OK day play a crucial role, it’s equally important to make concrete plans to connect with our friends and provide genuine support. Taking the time to check in and arrange meaningful get-togethers can strengthen social support and make a significant impact. You’ve got me thinking more on this as well.
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This conversation is inspiring some reflection. A mate at work recently spoke to me about feeling uneasy about changes they were experiencing. I was surprised as this mate is is typically very relaxed and laid-back. It remined me that the people we think are ok are often the ones we need to check in on most. I must admit, I make it a habit to set regular reminders in my calendar to check in on the people in my life. When I’m engrossed in important projects, it helps me take a step back and consider whether I have inadvertently neglected to reach out or catch up with anyone recently.
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James, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It’s heart breaking when we realise that someone we care about was silently suffering. Your commitment to making a change and preventing such tragedies from happening again is commendable. We all have the power to make a difference.
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Hey guys
Thank you for sharing this experience. I have experienced the support issue directly as well. When I went through my tough time I found that the support around me wasn’t at all what I needed. But on reflection, I think it was because of a lack of education about mental health. I wonder if either of you has any ideas on how to break down that stigma a little bit because for me, through my own journey, I have noticed this push-away state of mind where I know the supports are available, but my experience is a real difficulty getting the people around me to access that support.
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Hi wren, I found that once I overcome my own stigma of feeling awkward about speaking about mental illness – I just spoke from my heart – authentic. Just told them how it was, what I noticed or why I was speaking to them. People really resonated and respected me for that I think. If that doesn’t work. Just tell them the doors wide open. They ll be back.
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Thank you for your reply, I guess it’s just always staying open and being honest with people. I have always believed transparency is best so I will apply it to these situations as well, after experiencing the benefit first hand I really can advocate for support.
Thanks again
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Thank you Wren, for sharing so vulnerably. I think this is exactly what we need in the wider community – the space for men to share openly. I have noticed the way I react internally at times when men in my life express emotions, other than anger or withdrawing, and have come to realise how much stigma I still carried. I now pay extra attention to challenge my internal stigmas, that to be honest, I didn’t even know I carried until my dad pointed out a facial expression he noticed when my partner was sharing. I was totally shocked. We need to surround ourselves with people who are not afraid to challenge our stigmas so that we can create a safer environment for everyone.
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Alyssa, your insight about challenging internal stigmas really struck a chord with me. It’s so important for all of us to examine our own biases and reactions when others express their emotions. By surrounding ourselves with people who are willing to challenge these stigmas, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.
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While everyone is unique, I have discovered that inviting friends for a nature retreat is an excellent method to escape, reconnect, and create an environment for meaningful discussions. It can be challenging to condense important conversations into just five minutes, and there is nothing worse than missing or rushing such moments. Once they slip away, it becomes difficult to regain that opportunity.
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Hello all, I am new to MHFI, and pleased to see there is a group for us men, because it is hard for us. I can openly talk to the opposite sex about nearly anything including their mental illness and needs, but with men, mostly this is not the case. I am eager to break the cycle, and to also learn what else I can implement in both professional and personal settings.
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Hey Adrian, welcome. Yes, we do find ourselves in situations sometimes where we are facing a little more resistance from men, I am here for the same reasons as you and I hope we can share experiences and different tips on some things that have worked for us to allow the men of the world to feel better understood.
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I love this, we are part of breaking stigma
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A mate recently shared this tee. I’m thinking of wearing one when I go to the pub. I’m ready to challenge societal stigmas! Who’s with me?
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YEP
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Heyo, love that we have an opportunity to work together and learn from each other, looking forward to getting to know you all.
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Hey crew,
Just wanted to share something with you all, I think this is a big step for my business! After I took the day off last week, I made a decision when I called that I would tell the truth! That I was burned out, and I needed a day. Since then, My workers have been feeling more confident about doing things for themselves, and I thought this was a big moment because sometimes, I feel like as managers we forget that setting an example like this is really the start of building a great mental health culture in the workplace… Thanks for all your support!
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Hi Wren, thank you for your vulnerability! We need more of this in our community. As an advocate for mental health days, I just want to say I am so proud to be a part of this community where we are not afraid to prioritise our mental health!
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Cheers Wren! Laying it down in a space like this is so helpful for all of us!
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Agree. Thanks, Wren
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I hope you had a restful weekend and are having a good Monday, Wren!
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It’s a powerful example of how leadership is often about being both strong and vulnerable. Your recent experience of taking time off and openly sharing it with your team is a demonstration of leadership strength. It shows that as a leader, you recognise the importance of self-care, which in turn sets a positive example for the team. It’s a great step toward fostering a culture where well-being is valued, and taking time off is seen as a sign of strength and wisdom. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
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You bet, mate! Leading by example is bloody important when it comes to building a solid work culture, especially when it comes to mental health. As managers, our actions have a massive impact on our team members. By putting ourselves first and being honest about our own struggles, we can create an environment that encourages self-care and looks out for the well-being of our crew. ?
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I couldn’t agree more!
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Today, I find myself compelled to write about the article that lingers heavy on my heart, for it speaks of a soul lost prematurely and a workplace that failed to provide safety..
Today, my heart aches for this lost soul and for the workplace that failed to recognize his struggle. We must acknowledge the immense power that a workplace employs over the mental well-being of its employees. It’s not just about deadlines met or projects completed; it’s about creating an environment where empathy thrives, where burdens are shared, and where every individual feels valued.
Let this tragedy be a clarion call for change. Let us build workplaces where compassion isn’t just a buzzword but a way of life. Let us be vigilant, not only about the tasks at hand but also about the emotional welfare of those around us. In this shared journey of professional life, let kindness be our guiding light, illuminating even the darkest corners so that no one feels abandoned in their struggle. In the end, it’s not just about the work we do; it’s about the lives we touch and the impact we leave behind.
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Couldn’t agree more! It is incredibly sad!
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I think you are referring to the post by the admin Dave. I have not been able to think of what to say, it is devasting. It has really fuelled me and my passion for workplace psychological safety and positive mental health cultures.
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It’s heartbreaking to think that someone could feel so isolated and unsupported in their struggles, especially within the context of their professional environment. Your words ring true about making a real change and not just using the buzzword of the month. It is so important to create workplaces where empathy, compassion, and kindness are not just ideals but integral aspects of our culture.
We must all strive to be more than just coworkers; we must be allies, advocates, and sources of support for one another. Let us use this tragedy as motivation to cultivate environments where individuals feel safe to share their burdens, where mental health is prioritized, and where every person is valued for their unique contributions.
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I am excited to finally have the resources to book myself and a few colleagues into a suicide ASIST intervention course at the end of the year. I wanted to share because most of my cohort are men, and I believe that this course will really help us in having these conversations.
Has anybody done ASIST before? Has it been helpful for you all?
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I did this course years ago, it was really something. Really saves lives especially those working on the frontline in crisis situations.
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Hello!
Ive done the course a few times and it still surprises me how much I learn and take away every time. Every time I’ve done the training it’s been a good mix of people too so I have no doubts you guys will love it!
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Wondering if anyone has any suggestions, I’m supporting someone going through a tricky relationship situation, but they are quite hesitant for support, does anyone have any suggestions?
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This might seem cliche, but just listen. NO advise, just listen. Im sure you already knew this, but sometimes, we need a gentle reminder that less is more. Good luck and they sound lucky to have you (apology for the late reply)
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I’m sorry to hear about the challenging situation you’re navigating with someone who’s hesitant to accept support. It can be tough to know how best to approach these delicate situations, but your willingness to seek advice shows your genuine care and concern.
One approach could be to gently remind the person that they don’t have to face their difficulties alone. Let them know that you’re there to listen without judgment whenever they feel ready to talk. Sometimes, just knowing that someone is there to offer support can make a world of difference.
Additionally, you could suggest alternative forms of support that might feel less intimidating for them. This could include recommending therapy or counseling, joining a support group, or even seeking advice from a trusted mentor or friend.
Always respect their boundaries and pace, as pushing too hard could potentially push them further away. Patience, empathy, and understanding will be key in navigating this situation delicately.
Above all, continue to offer your support and reassurance, even if they’re not ready to accept it right away. Let them know that you’ll be there whenever they’re ready to reach out, and in the meantime, continue to be a source of positivity and encouragement in their life.
Take care, and I hope things improve.
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