Man up! Toughen up! Suck it up! Men don’t cry! Stop being so sensitive! You’re a man! Get a backbone! Don’t let it get to you! Shake it off! Don’t be a wimp!

These phrases reflect traditional masculine norms emphasizing stoicism and emotional toughness. However they can be hurtful and dismissive of men’s emotions and vulnerabilities.

He wakes up every morning with a mind already set up to achieve greatness, carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders because of course he’s a man and it’s his duty to provide without complaints.

He battles societal expectations and traditional masculinity norms and yet has to suppress his emotions.
In the home front and personal life, there are relationship issues and conflicts. Most times, we ladies can be a torn in their flesh because we might not fully understand that they do not think like us and therefore needs time and space to process things.

Men deal with work-related stress too and the pressure to provide. This leads to frustration if it’s not going well. Most men have traumas and past experiences which often makes them go into their shell because to them, sharing or talking about it means weakness.

Then there’s body image concerns and physical health issues, fatherhood and parenting challenges, social isolation, loneliness and insecurity.

Financial struggles which leads to stress and anxiety. In this economy where everyone is trying to meet up. Men have it worse because they are constantly worrying about paying bills, debt, and meeting basic needs. If they are not doing it for their immediate families, they are doing it for parents and siblings or girlfriends.

The pressure to manage debt, financial responsibilities and uncertainty can trigger anxiety disorders. Financial stress can disrupt sleep patterns leading to insomnia or excessive sleepiness, it can put a strain on relationships with family and friends leading to feelings of isolation.

These struggles can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, sleep disorderliness, loss of identity, trauma and other mental health concerns.

To be honest, men do go through a lot of things and it’s sad that most of them carry this burden alone, not wanting to share mostly because they do not want to be judged or called weak.

To be fair, the male folks are being ignored on several levels and it’s really not intentional.
Society has made it so but we have to change that narrative.

Men are humans too and are capable of having emotions, down times and break downs and yes they should be allowed to show vulnerability and allowed to lean on shoulders too.

Dear Man,

You are not a superhuman, you are just human. Please do not neglect your mental health. Take care of yourself, do things that make you happy, stay fit, take time off to rest, do regular check ups but most importantly have open and honest conversations and seek support when you need one. It is very okay to ask for help.

To the world, be kind to men.
Listen to them, support them, provide a safe space for them to express themselves. He’s a man but he’s also human.
Wives, give your husbands grace. They are doing their best.

Men are a rare gift to us, yes they are not perfect but who’s perfect anyways?

It’s Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Share this with someone that needs to hear it.

Good Morning and have a beautiful weekend.

Up next – Hobbies than can help boost your mental health/Mental Health Checklist.