How do you help men to talk about their problems and issues?

It is said that men are reluctant to seek help and men are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than women in 2019. ([When Men Don’t Cry, But Are Hurting Inside… - My Mental Health])

Do you have any success stories or experiences supporting your male friends to talk about your problems and issues? Share here and let’s talk!

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Toxic masculinity is real and I guess a big part of it comes from upbringing. I remember my grandmother always scolding me whenever I cried.

Boys don’t cry

A related story here: How do you help your friends go through a breakup? - #3 by Jaws but I think what really helps to get people to open up in general (not just men) is to ask two questions

  1. How does that make you feel?
  2. What else?

And don’t underestimate the power of “what else?” Each time I ask this question, it’s like peeling an onion layer by layer and ultimately you’ll get to the core of it.

One last tip I guess is to be comfortable with silence, men take a while to open up (myself included) so just be patient and have a drink while you wait. :beers:

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