Mens Mental Health

Mens Health Week

Last week was #MensHealthWeek and I reflected on a conversation I had recently which helped me to understand the reality of being a man within our societal systems.

The deep conditioning all men carry that places weighty expectations on them and beliefs around the role they feel they should be fulfilling.

Plus what they are typically not allowed - vulnerability, openness, support, honesty, connection. Not only do they carry these huge expectations but they also don’t feel safe to be honest and truthful about their emotions, worries, challenges.

They don’t have the option of supporting each other to navigate life like women do. I cannot even imagine it. Life and all of its unforeseen and painful nuances are only navigable because as a woman I regularly have open, truthful and supportive conversations.

I simply cannot imagine my world without this depth of connection and support. It makes my heart hurt for these lovely men that this is not the norm in their world, through no fault of their own but because of what our world has taught them.

I hope this begins to change from now onwards. I hope somehow at TVH we can be a part of that change along with incredibly brave and honest people like @thecompassionateman who speaks truthfully about his own emotions, challenges and mental health.

Love, Katy.