On The Healing Place Podcast this morning I had the chance to chat with hostess Teri Kamphaus Wellbrock raising awarenesss for guys about their mental health and encouraging men to take this time of isolation to learn more about themselves.
I've never been a "handyman" and it still puzzles me especially in this day and age, we still call it a handy "man". Let's just say, I'm not very good when it comes to fixing or building things at home. When it comes to being a Man, what's more important to me has been listening, sharing thoughts, being compassionate, being encouraging, sharing my feelings and challenging others to think deeply for themselves. That's been more of my scene ever since I could remember as a kid, but I've only finally come to embrace in the last 5 years.
Does love mean accepting the person as they are? If that's true, we wouldn't be fussing at them to turn off that gawd awful TV show the Bachlorette, would we? Yet, we still love them regardless of their different interests. Thus my perspective's changed. You can still love someone, and not accept them entirely. So, my quest continued to define what love means for me. Here's what I came up with and jotted down...
Remember when we used to describe a person who was quiet and didn't show much emotion as the strong, silent type? I don't often hear that phrase anymore to describe a someone, and I'm glad. I mean, how strong is a person who is silent, especially when it comes to their mental health? Isn't that an oxymoron? For generations, it was seen as a positive trait, to be the strong, silent type. You're cool, collected and can withstand internalized pain. Movies stars portrayed this imagery very well, often looking cool and sexy in the movies if they were stoic.
It still amazes me how we don’t talk more about anger and its relationship to our mental health. I feel that everyone has a responsibility for their own mental health and isn't just for people who have been diagnosed by their GP's.
It's a sad loss today for those who followed Mr Bourdain but I also want honor those who have taken their own lives and aren't recognized in the media. Too many lives are lost due to suicide and depression, and there certainly isn't one simple solution that's going to end this growing concern.
One of my goals is to reach out and connect with men particularly in ethnic communities. I'd like to break the stereotypes and barriers that ethnic men don't talk about mental health. Needless to say, I'm proud to share that I am an Asian male openly talking about my struggles with depression, anger and anxiety.
I can't believe it's already been 1 entire year since I started this blog and it's been a wonderful experience sharing my thoughts, reading others' and learning to be more tech-savvy! Most importantly however, this blog represents my growing understanding of mental health.
In light of the recent tragedy that shook the world on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, we all must ask ourselves what we can do to prevent such a terrible tragedy from happening again.
I know guys who turn away from the conversation about feelings and mental health. It makes them twitch and feel uncomfortable. It also makes them defensive and they quickly deflect the conversation. I used to be that guy too.
