Episode 2: Men's Mental Health: Breaking the Silence

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The numbers hit like a sledgehammer: 30% of men will face depression, yet most of us were taught to "shake it off" by age six. In this powerful episode, licensed therapist and Certified Financial Social Worker, Joey reveals why men's mental health demands our urgent attention this June.

Joey dives into the devastating disconnect between mental health statistics and society's expectations of masculinity. When we're conditioned to bench press feelings instead of expressing them, the consequences manifest through physical health problems, substance use, broken relationships, and alarming suicide rates. But there's hope on the horizon through community-centered approaches that meet men exactly where they are.

This episode spotlights the upcoming Heart and Soul: Men's Wellness Collective - a groundbreaking collaboration between ManeUp Memphis and Baptist Hospital happening June 21st at the AgriCenter International Expo Center from 8:30-2:00 PM. Attendees will receive free health screenings, expert guidance from cardiologists and psychologists, and practical workshops teaching accessible tools for mental wellness. Joey shares his personal journey as a veteran who once "stuffed fear into a rucksack" until therapy and genuine brotherhood saved his life, demonstrating that healing is possible when we let go of outdated notions of toughness.

Whether you're struggling yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a refreshing, shame-free approach to men's mental health. Register for the free event through our show notes, and remember - mental health isn't a solo sport. Share this episode, subscribe for more insights, and join the ManeUp Memphis community where you can leave the baggage and keep the change.

https://www.baptistonline.org/heart-and-soul

https://maps.app.goo.gl/CVbgLzpEUVj85m8p8

#ManeUpMemphis

Episode Transcript

Joseph Laswell (00:01):
Welcome to the Mane Up Memphis podcast, where
we celebrate the grit, heart andhope that make the 901 shine.
Each week we sit down withchangemakers, youth and families
to talk real mental health wins, money moves and life skills
breakthroughs All the tools weuse at Mane Up Memphis to uplift

(00:22):
, equip and empower people tobuild stronger, more resilient
lives.
Whether you're 14 or 40, aparent, mentor or ally, this is
your spot for stories that healand strategies that work.
So grab a sweet tea, get comfyand let's step into growth
together, because here at ManeUpMemphis, you leave the baggage,

(00:45):
keep the change.
Hey everybody, my name is Joey.
I am a licensed therapist,certified financial social
worker and proud member atManeUp Memphis.
June is mental health men'smental health month, so let's
get real and get some numbers.
30% of US men will face adepressive episode in their

(01:07):
lifetime.
Nearly 1 in 10 of us wrestlewith daily anxiety or depression
.
Yet we're four times morelikely to die by suicide and
that is from the AmericanPsychological Association.
Numbers like that don't juststing, they demand action.
Numbers like that don't juststing, they demand action.
So let's admit, many of us gotthe shake it off, be a man

(01:28):
script by age 6.
We were taught to bench pressfeelings instead of expressing
them.
But the body keeps score Highblood pressure, substance use,
busted relationships and thatcrushing stat that we opened up
with.
That's why Mane Up Memphis isteaming up with Baptist Hospital
this Saturday, june 15th, forHeart and Soul, a men's wellness

(01:51):
collective.
It's a free one-day gatheringof doctors, therapists,
barbershop, peer coaches andcommunity game changers.
What you'll get at this eventscreenings, blood pressure, bmi,
depression check-ins done onthe spot, expert panels,
cardiologists and psychologists.
Unpack the heart-mindconnection breakout workshops

(02:14):
which we will be leading made upMemphis.
Also, we're going to have twosessions, 45 minutes apiece, so
you can come to one or bothSaturday June 15th, and we're
going to be speaking there andwe hope to see you there.

(02:34):
So if you know a guy in yourlife, encourage them to come out
to this event and let's seeit's going to be at the
AgriCenter.
Let me double check thatAgriCenter International Expo,
777 Walnut Grove Road, memphis,tennessee, 38120.
From 8.30 am to 2 o'clock pm.

(02:56):
So be there, All right.
So what can you expect when youget there?
Well, no trust falls, no circlewhere you have to share or
shame.
We can start with a quickprivilege walk, exercise, stand
if you've ever hidden a panicattack.
Sit if you've lost sleep overbills.

(03:18):
That kind of thing.
It's data, it's not a verdict.
From there we break down thefight-flight-freeze cycle.
Then hand you practical toolsBody scans you can do at a red
light, a three-word check-in youcan text a friend and a
five-minute money drill to calmbill panic.
So, as a personal note, like Iwore the uniform in the Air

(03:40):
Force and I had to stuff fearinto a rucksack and call it
toughness, it worked until itdidn't.
Therapy and a brotherhood thatlet me say I'm not okay saved my
life.
Saturday might be that pivot foryou or for a man you love.
So call to action.
Bring a buddy, bring your dad,bring your 19-year-old nephew

(04:02):
who jokes about I'll sleep whenI'm dead.
This event is free, theinformation is priceless and the
worst outcome is you walk awaywith a fresh blood pressure
reading and a sandwich.
So register now.
There'll be a link in the shownotes.
If you can't make it, sharethis episode and get the word
out about Mane Up Memphis,because we're here trying to

(04:23):
change the narrative aroundmen's mental health and well, I
mean all people's mental health,not just men, but um.
But this event is going to befocusing on men.
So, in closing, men, healingisn't a solo sport.
This Saturday, let's face up asa team heart, soul and mind.
I'll see you at Baptist, allright.

(04:44):
Well, that's a wrap for today'sepisode of the Mane Up Memphis
podcast.
Remember, real change startswhen you show up, break cycles
and walk into something greater.
If you felt inspired, do methree quick favors Subscribe and
leave a note or a five-starreview so that more people can
find us.
Share this episode with someonewho might need a lift and get

(05:06):
involved Volunteer, refer ayouth or donate at
maneupmemphisorg.
Follow us on our socials@ManeUpMemphis for
behind-the-scenes goodness andsend your questions or success
stories to us and they mightmake it on air.
Until next time here at ManeUpMemphis.
Leave the baggage, keep thechange.
Make it on air Until next timehere at Mane Up Memphis.

(05:27):
Leave the baggage, keep thechange.