Historically, men lack awareness of health and wellness in general. This
leads to men not seeking out help for medical or emotional concerns. Truth
is, to lead a healthy, whole life, we need to focus on more than diet
and exercise.
Let’s face it, everyone goes through emotional ups and downs at some
time in their life. The words Mental Health seem to suggest something
negative, but being mentally well is more than just a lack of mental illness.
Our mental health directs how we feel, think, and behave every day. Negative
views, known as social stigma, are a harmful form of discrimination that
can come at us from outside sources, and from our personal feelings.
Social stigma prevents us from being willing to seek out help. It dulls
our ability to feel supported by those around us, and keeps us from truly
supporting others. Social stigma also builds walls between us and the
most basic necessities of life. These false beliefs are set in a lack
of understanding of emotional wellness or mental health.
How do we work together to squash stigma? Simply, don’t buy into
it. Eliminate the power stigma has on our wellbeing by not believing it.
Do the very things that stigma is trying to keep us from doing. We can
all do our part by talking openly about our everyday struggles, big and
small. Talking about how we needed help to get through it, and where we
found the help we needed.
Every man, at some point, will meet difficulties, challenges, or struggles.
Holding back from facing them lets the problem grow and form bigger, more
challenging issues. Finding the strength and guidance you need to get
to the other side of the mountain is where true strength and power are gained.
Michelle Taylor received her doctorate from the University of South Alabama,
and is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Columbia Basin Health Association,
serving patients in Othello, Mattawa, Connell, and surrounding areas.