MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS TOO😊

Hie guys!
As a build up to Father’s Day, and as a way of raising more awareness, I’d like us to talk about the impact of events at a political, social and economic level on Men, with a special focus on mental health.

Traditional structures in society place the man as the provider and breadwinner. The man, as the head of the household, had to be the steady pillar of security, support and strength. As long as Dad is home, as long as Dad works, as long as Dad protects and provides – all would work.

The modern man, however, finds himself confronted with changes in society. Where he was the breadwinner, now he has to share that role with the woman of the house too. Where he was the provider, he has to accept that the woman too – the educated, careered woman of today – can and does provide too. With the emphasis on women being protectors, women being strongpoints, women being heads of households and being in positions to lead too, the modern man is caught in the winds of change. Furthermore, the modern man is being encouraged more and more to express himself emotionally, to learn emotional intelligence and to be emotional and ‘soft’ too, something the olden day man would have cringed at.
So, where does that leave us?
Mental health statistic seem to lean more on men as sufferers and victims, more than their female counterparts. Modern work economics place women as more likely to be employed than men, and that places a good number of men on an unsure footing. Economic upheavals, political instabilities, cultural changes, new social ills affecting children and young people – all of these are taking a toll on men, as stats seem to reveal.
So, what do we say?
First of all, now more than ever, we have to say more and more emphatically :- Men’s Mental Health matters too. It’s not enough to acknowledge that the contemporary man faces more than older versions did – we also need to look at educating, enlightening and above all, supporting the modern man. For if we neglect that, the very foundations of society and family are shaken.
Men need to know that it’s okay to feel the pressure.
Men need to know that in these difficult times, failing is not alien to the human process.
Men need to know that structures are there to help and support them through whatever it is that they are going through.
Above all, in a thankless society which sadly points out faults in fatherhood and fathers (legitimate cases, mostly) men need the acknowledgement, the not, the pat on the shoulder that they are doing a good job as fathers, as brothers, as father figures and co-builders and pillars of society.
We’ll keep on building on this, this month of June.
For now, to all men, and to all of us, as we take care of our bodies, our lives and goals, safeguard your mental health, because, even in regard to men, #mentalhealthmatters❤️🧠