NOW YOU MADE IT AWKWARD Ep147: "Why Is Men's Mental Health Failing?"

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. This week Shoky and Jefe sit down and talk about their individual struggles through life with depression, loneliness, angry, addiction, loss of self, and suicidal ideation. 

Mental Health Resources- - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (USA) Call or text 988 for free www.988lifeline.org - Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor - Trevor Project (LGBTQ): Call 1-866-488-7386 to text START to 679678 www.thetrevorproject.org - HeadsUpGuys: An evidence-based resource specifically for men battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts www.headsupguys.org - Therapy for Black Men: A directory and safe space for black men to access mental health professionals and resources. www.therapyforblackmen.org -Man Therapy: uses humor and real tools to reach men in a language they understand. www.mantherapy.org Today we discuss the following:

The Alarming Stats- Men are suffering and often in silence. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for men, especially between the ages of 18–44. In the U.S., 79% of suicides are men (CDC, 2023). Men are less likely to seek therapy, share openly, or ask for support. Depression in men often shows up as anger, substance use, or burnout and goes unrecognized.

We aren’t addressing the symptoms or the root cause.

The “Man Box” Trap- Society has taught boys to become men who: Don’t cry Don’t ask for help Provide but never need Stay strong, even if it’s killing them

This is called “The Man Box”, a rigid set of rules defining “real masculinity.” Source: Promundo’s Man Box Study, 2017

Men who conform to these ideals are more likely to experience depression, suicidal ideation, violence, and isolation.

Modern Masculinity vs. the Internet- The internet has become a breeding ground for harmful messages about what it means to be a man:

Hustle culture says: "Sleep when you're dead."

Red pill influencers say: "Don't trust women, dominate them."

Toxic advice says: "If you're vulnerable, you're weak."

This isn't just edgy content, it's warping how men see themselves.

The Loneliness Epidemic- Today's men report fewer close friendships than ever before. Nearly 1 in 4 men say they have no close friends at all. Most rely on romantic partners for emotional support if they have one. Many male friendships lack emotional intimacy and vulnerability.

This isolation increases the risk for depression, addiction, and self-harm.

An Identity In Crisis- As gender roles evolve, many men are left wondering: - "If I'm not the provider, what am I?" - "What's my place in a world that criticizes masculinity?" - "Am I allowed to just.....be?" This Confusion can breed resentment, withdrawal, of defensiveness. But the truth is: being male isn't the problem...patriarchy is.

What Men Actually Need- Men deserve real tools for healing, connection, and support. That Includes: - Mental health resources that understand how men express pain - Male friendships that include depth, softness, and honesty - Permission to rest, express, and show emotion without ridicule - Communities that value men for who they are, not what they produce. Healing doesn't make you less of a man. It makes you human.

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