Over the years, #mentalhealthissues have become more prevalent due to #socialmedia, the #stress/pressure of #school, and extreme standards set for both #men and #women.
Unfortunately, #depression and #anxiety among #boys and #men tend to get widely ignored.
Nowadays, society seems to believe that #women are the only ones who experience #mentalillnesses. However, that’s not true.
Men experience similar problems and the fact that their issues are constantly overlooked is unacceptable.
There are multiple factors that contribute to this significant problem.
The main part of the issue is society’s fault, as we put an absurd amount of pressure on #boys to hide their emotions and feelings. Some common ideals that have been continuously reiterated over the years are, “#Boys don’t cry”; “Don’t be a #girl”; and “Don’t be such a baby!”.
These specific ideals can have a significant impact on #boys. #Boys grow up believing that they can’t cry or else they’re acting/behaving like a #girl. As they grow up believing this ideology, they get to the point where they don’t feel comfortable expressing their emotions due to the potential reactions they will receive in return.
The idea that “#Boys don’t cry,” traps them in a deep hole that is challenging to get out of and can often seem inescapable.
In an article on psycom.net, licensed #mentalhealthcounselor Henry A. Montero states, “#Men raised in a system that promotes traditional masculinity have complicated feelings towards their own emotions. Often, they attempt to shut them off or avoid them completely.”
The pressure that society puts on #men to bottle up their emotions and feelings puts them in a tough situation as a result; they can’t even feel comfortable opening up to their own family. Not only that, but this idea can cause larger problems that lead to greater #mentalhealthstruggles.
As a #boy grows up hearing those phrases over and over, they can often tend to raise their own #boys in the same way. This leads to a continuous cycle of toxic masculinity, which leads to a whole other world of problems.
The pressure to not express certain emotions, in fear of being called a #girl or “too feminine,” leads to #mentalhealthproblems including #depression, #anxiety, and even #suicidalthoughts. According to the #AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention, #men are 3.5 times more likely to die by #suicide in the #UnitedStates.
Obviously, there are various aspects that could contribute to that statistic, but the extremely high standards set for #men in terms of being masculine are definitely one of them.
In fact, #suicide in this country has reached epidemic levels.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
According to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention, #suicide rates increased 30% between 2000 and 2018, before declining during the #pandemic. Still, it remains a leading cause of death in the #UnitedStates, with 45,979 deaths in 2020 — about one death every 11 minutes.
The #suicide rate for #males was three to four times the rate for #females between 2000 and 2020.
Another contributing factor is the fact that the media has brainwashed society into believing that women’s #mentalhealth is greater, or means more, than men’s. Isn’t that the opposite of the goal we’ve been striving to achieve for the past century?
For a long time, we’ve wanted to be viewed as equal to #men, in essentially every aspect. But when did becoming superior to #boys become the goal?
Nowadays, whenever the topic of #mentalhealth is discussed, it seems as if #girls are the only ones who experience it. Of course, that statement is false.
I’m not agreeing with the fact that men’s #mentalhealth is superior. They are equal. At least, they’re supposed to be.
Both #men and #women need to join together, to combat #mentalillness, rather than as two separate groups. Overall, there needs to be more awareness of men’s #mentalhealth, especially today.
The fact that this problem is constantly overlooked is unacceptable and an embarrassment. If we keep ignoring this problem, it’ll continue to grow bigger and cause more issues later on in the future.
You can help support this cause by standing up for #men and #women, as both of their #mentalhealthproblems are valid.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionHotline at 800-273-8255.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
