Shine a light on Men's Mental health

Men's mental health.it's crazy how we can talk about physical injuries, broken bones, and illness, but the moment mental health comes up, especially for men, the room goes quiet.

This January, I lost someone close to me to suicide the third person that was close to me and seen so many friends loose loved ones. It makes you question everything - all the conversations you could have had, the signs you might have missed, the words left unsaid.

The thing is, we've created this world where men are supposed to be these unbreakable pillars of strength. "Man up," they say. "Don't cry," they say. "Push through it," they say. But let me ask you this - when did showing emotion become a sign of weakness? When did asking for help become something to be ashamed of?

You know what's really tough? The statistics are heartbreaking. Men are far less likely to seek help for mental health issues, but they're three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Think about that for a second. We're literally losing lives because of this stigma, this unwritten rule that men shouldn't talk about their feelings.

I've seen it firsthand in my own life, in my friend circles, in my family. The masks we wear, the jokes we make to deflect, the way we brush off serious conversations with a casual "I'm fine." But here's the truth - it's okay not to be okay. It's okay to struggle. It's okay to reach out.

We need to break this stigma, and it starts with conversations like this. It starts with checking on your strong friend, your brother, your father, your mate who seems to have it all together. Because sometimes, the ones who appear the strongest are fighting the hardest battles.

To every man listening to this: Your mental health matters. Your feelings are valid. Your struggles are real. And most importantly, you are not alone. There's no shame in reaching out for help. In fact, it's one of the bravest things you can do.

Let's change the narrative. Let's create a world where men can speak openly about their mental health without fear of judgment. Where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. Because at the end of the day, we're all human, and we all deserve to be heard, understood, and supported.

Remember, your life has value. Your story matters. And there's always someone willing to listen. Let's break this silence together, one conversation at a time.