Many of us blokes think we need to do it all ourselves. We put off having a chat with our mates when we’re feeling down, put off going to our GP, and put off talking to our partner about how we’re feeling because we have the idea that ‘being a man’ means being silent and strong.
These kinds of social norms around masculinity can be really harmful, especially when it comes to your mental health. It can make it really hard for many of us to acknowledge when we’re not doing too well and even harder to reach out for the kinds of support we need when we’re struggling.
It's important to remember that everyone’s mental health varies during their life, and can move back and forth along their own personal range between positive and healthy at one end through to severe symptoms or conditions at the other, in response to different stressors and experiences.
:format():fill())