Men’s Mental Health Matters Too
- staceylandstra
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Working with clients recently, I’ve noticed some inspiring and concerning patterns.
I am overjoyed to see more women feeling confident speaking about their mental health. This shift shows how far we’ve come as a society. But we still have work to do.
Recently, I worked with an expecting mom who showed just how powerful this change can be. Ten years ago, during her first pregnancy, she experienced severe postpartum depression but suffered in silence — afraid of being judged or even having her baby taken away.
Fast forward to today: this same woman is confident in voicing her concerns. She reached out to her family, friends, doctor, obstetrician, and began therapy before giving birth to set herself up for success. She created a safe, supported environment for herself and her baby.
What an incredible transformation in just ten years.
Yet, when I look at men’s mental health, I don’t see the same progress.
Too often, when working with male clients on suicide safety plans, we reach the part where they’re asked to list one person they could call in a crisis — and the heartbreaking answer is:
“No one.”
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. We need to build a culture where men feel just as safe reaching out for help as women do.
We’ve made great strides in normalizing women’s mental health conversations. Let’s do the same for men.
Knowledge is power — and awareness is the first step toward change.
If you are a man struggling in silence, please know that your feelings matter and you do not have to face them alone. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength and courage. Let’s continue to talk, listen, and support one another so that no one ever has to answer “no one” again.
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