Movember: a quick thought on Men’s Mental Health (from a young man)
We are in November, the month dedicated to men’s mental health and the prevention of serious diseases.
Most people worry about physical health, but mental health is, in most cases, misunderstood and underestimated.
Mental health is a human priority, and in the age we live in we are increasingly stimulated by environments and situations that put a strain on our discipline and ability to maintain the ideal lifestyle for us.
What do you think about when you read “mental health”?
Do you think about the nature? The sunset?
To having a consistently positive mindset?
To having a perfect life?
I think about everything that RUINS mental health, about what society is popularizing and mainstreaming as common and normal.
Addiction to social media, alcohol, drugs, smoking, laziness, television, mediocrity, women, sex, pornography, dopamine, constant over-excitement, violence, power, selfishness, negativity, low self-esteem, lack of gratitude.
In the society we live in it is “normal” to try the above mentioned substances and experiences, and to be addicted to them, because they want to make the figure of man less masculine and more effeminate, weaker both mentally and physically.
Being a healthy man means growing day after day, getting out of bed and working, doing one’s tasks, taking on one’s responsibilities — which we ALL have — despite the fact that it is difficult and we’re often lacking motivation.
It’s not easy, otherwise everyone would do it.
I know that it’s a bad time for those who are going through, I’ve been there myself.
And more often than not, we don’t overcome it alone; we have to work alongside figures we admire, men of a certain value, who can understand us, who have overcome the same difficulties, with whom we can confront ourselves on a daily basis and not feel judged.
The classic “team relationship”, the group relationship, is what binds society together and keeps men going.
Apart from this, there are some good practices to follow in order to become a valuable man that ANYONE and EVERYONE should be doing, regardless of age, occupation and situation you’re living in.
Eating healthy, reading, learning constantly, being curious, befriending men similar to who we aspire to be.
Being men means getting involved in local communities, challenging each other, providing for the maintenance and economic stability of one’s family and oneself.
Not thinking that anyone owes you anything. Everything must be earned and deserved.
Donating and helping others.
Creating value in society.
Being proud of yourself, having high self-esteem and a greater humility.
Respecting women and the less fortunate, aspiring to become and earn more, in all respects, being grateful and appreciative of what you have already achieved.
Aspiring to a positive and radical change in this society, starting from assuming total responsibility for your life as an individual.
There are several foundations, groups, and organizations you donate to in order to support men’s health.
Over the years I have taken part in charitable events to support men’s health, most notably the Gentleman’s Ride and the Movember motorcycle rallies, which I support every year.
We live in an era in which now more than ever we need to be real men, out of respect for ourselves, for those around us, for those who suffer, for those who rely on us and for whom we have a responsibility, for our ancestors, grandparents who fought the war, of those who preceded us and suffered so that we could live and we could do so in certain conditions of wellness, in which we all find ourselves, some more and some less.
Each of us, in a small way, CAN and MUST support his peers, either monetarily or by a psychological support.
We need to act NOW and come together to bring about change and restore a HEALTHY masculinity in today’s society.
