Would more men be open to going to therapy if they had resources tailored specifically for them, and if the office had Emotional Support Animals for appointment use?
Would more men be open to going to therapy if they had resources tailored specifically for them, and if the office had Emotional Support Animals for appointment use?
Can you offer some examples of where “being vulnerable” led a man out of depression?
I do agree that there is a culture of masculine shame around mental health, and it can be unhealthy. But I’ve also seen that those who share their feelings don’t get the promotion, tend to make coworkers uncomfortable, drive women away. Life is still a competition and vulnerability is genuinely risky.
I’ve seen bullies strategically share false vulnerability to garner sympathy. Genuine vulnerability often looks gross from a man, and is unlikely to lead to positive outcomes.
Most importantly, this new wave of mental health problems is not caused by a new wave of “not being vulnerable.” It’s a societal issue and must be confronted there, not shunted onto each individual man.
When each man has to deal with the consequences of the societal issues, what other short term option is available though?
Building communities coordinating on meaningful goals. Actual life as opposed to merely dealing with the trauma of not having a life, goals community.
No amount of therapy can ever take away those needs, or satisfy them.
I don’t want to discouraged anyone from getting therapy, but it’s definitely not a solution. Access to therapy might help people deal with the ongoing problem (and that’s a big “might”) but it will never, ever solve this big issue.
We’re doing more by having this conversation than therapy can do. As long as we keep having them and trying to develop ideas and behaviors to bring those missing things into our lives.