Do men find it difficult to seek help?

Ask a Therapist Is This Normal?
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Hi everyone!

Let’s talk about a topic that often lingers in the shadows but deserves a spotlight – the stigma around men seeking help. :star2: It’s no secret that there’s a societal pressure on guys to be the strong, silent type, but the reality is, men also face challenges and could use some support from time to time.

Have you noticed that seeking help is sometimes unfairly stigmatized for men? Whether it’s for mental health, personal struggles, or even just asking for directions, there seems to be this unwritten rule that asking for assistance somehow “challenges” their masculinity.

So, let’s break it down:

  1. Personal Experiences: Have you or someone you know ever felt hesitant to seek help because of societal expectations? How did you work through it, and what was the outcome?

  2. Changing the Narrative: How can we all work towards changing the narrative around men seeking help? What steps can we take to make it more acceptable and encourage open conversations about well-being?

Let’s use this space to share our thoughts, experiences, and ideas. It’s time to challenge stereotypes, support one another, and redefine what it means to be strong and resilient. :muscle::sparkles:

Looking forward to hearing your perspectives on this important conversation! :speaking_head::busts_in_silhouette:

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As a guy, i find it difficult to talk about ny troubles. I sometimes want an apology but it is difficult.

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Hi @HenryLimanoynomous

Thank you for being so real with us, and I understand where you’re coming from. It can be really tough to open up about your feelings, especially when it comes to asking for an apology. Society often puts pressure on men to stay strong and keep emotions in check, which can make it feel almost impossible to express vulnerability.

But it’s important to remember that your feelings are valid, and you deserve to be heard. Wanting an apology doesn’t make you weak—it’s a natural part of wanting to repair and maintain healthy relationships.

If talking about your troubles feels overwhelming, you might start small. You don’t have to dive into everything all at once. Maybe you can begin by expressing how a situation made you feel, rather than directly asking for an apology right away. For example, you could say, “When this happened, it really hurt me,” or “I felt overlooked when…” Sometimes, just sharing how you feel can naturally lead to the conversation you need.

And if asking for an apology feels difficult, know that it’s okay to take your time. You might not get there in one conversation, and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is that you’re taking steps toward being open, even if they’re small ones.

It takes courage to even consider expressing these feelings, so give yourself credit for that. You deserve relationships where you feel comfortable sharing your emotions and where your needs are respected.

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Ok, honestly coming from me im a teen but like i feel like people stereotype men as ‘strong’ and ‘cannot be weak’ yk what im saying. And thus like any sign(s) of ‘weakness’ or like sadness then it’s like the people around u start saying : Are u a men or r u a girl so weak" u know. and espacially when u have troubles like its hard to open up and tell people cos u wanna stay like good on the surface but like deep inside there’s like a hundred troubles down there. and the reply is im fine. All. The. Time. its like the expactations from others. honestly, for me, im the one there for people when they need it but people are not there for me and like im considered a weakling

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