Emotions have no gender. This is a small sentence with such a huge impact. Just stop and think about this for a moment…..
Emotions have NO gender!
So, why do women and men often ask for help differently? And more importantly, stay silent and avoid asking?
In this age of oversharing on social media, when it has never been more socially acceptable to tell your peers how you feel, men are still struggling. With the online stories peppered with macho images, there seems to be little room for showing poor mental health.
We also know that traditional gender roles play a role in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their wellbeing issues. The societal expectations of being the hunter-gatherer for instance….to provide for their loved ones, to remain strong, to be dominant and in control. And whilst these things aren’t inherently bad, they can make it harder for men to reach out for help and open up.
It’s time for us to move away from DNA and start breaking down the stigma to anxiety and depression in women and men.
There has never been a better time to seek, and be accepted for, help with your mental wellbeing! The first step of reaching out will always be the biggest and hardest, but it’s comforting to know everyone experiences this. Everything that then follows will lead to easier and better steps.
Grandads. Fathers. Uncles. Brothers. Sons. Learn to be un-silent.