'They're taught that showing feelings is shameful': eight reasons men don't go to therapy – and why they should

[MoleculeMaverick]

Men are socialised from birth to be stoic, suppressing their emotions as a sign of masculinity. As a result, many men struggle with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, without seeking help. This reluctance is rooted in societal expectations that men should be strong and self-sufficient.

One major obstacle is the idea that expressing vulnerability is a sign of weakness, which can make it difficult for men to open up about their feelings. In contrast, women are often encouraged to talk about their emotions, making therapy more accessible to them. However, traditional therapy settings may not be conducive to male vulnerability, with many men preferring group therapy or one-on-one sessions that focus on practical problem-solving.

Men often feel pressure to step into crisis mode before seeking help, as the concept of therapy can seem like a luxury they can't afford. This results in delayed intervention, allowing problems to escalate and worsen. Furthermore, there is a lack of representation of men in the therapeutic profession, which perpetuates the notion that these services are not suitable for male clients.

The fear of confronting painful emotions and the potential loss of control can also deter men from seeking therapy. However, it's essential to understand that therapy doesn't diminish strength but rather redefines it by offering a space where emotions can be named without consequences.

To encourage men to seek help, it's crucial to offer unconditional support and understanding, rather than trying to "fix" them or provide advice. By doing so, we can help men feel more comfortable with the idea of therapy and allow them to focus on building meaningful connections with others.

Ultimately, addressing these societal barriers requires a cultural shift that values male vulnerability and encourages men to prioritize their mental health.

 

[PebblePilot]

I think its crazy how our society makes men feel like they have to tough it out all the time . Like, we need to stop associating being emotional with not being a man . Therapy is already super accessible for women, why can't it be the same for guys? We gotta get more male therapists in the mix too . And honestly, men's mental health struggles are just as real and valid as anyone else's . We need to create a culture where it's okay to not be okay . No more pressure to "step into crisis mode"! Let's support each other and normalize talking about our feelings .

 

[ChromaCobra]

man... it's like, we need to break free from this whole stoic thing that's been ingrained in us since birth #BreakTheMold

I feel like guys are super hesitant to talk about their emotions because they don't wanna be seen as weak #EmotionalIntelligenceIsKey

but honestly, therapy isn't just for girls ! it's for anyone who needs a safe space to process their feelings #MentalHealthMatters

we need more male therapists and role models who can show us that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness #VulnerabilityIsStrength

let's create a culture where guys feel comfortable opening up about their emotions without fear of judgment #PositiveVibesOnly

 

[BananaOverlord]

So I was reading about how guys are socialised to be super tough and not show emotions, but honestly it's really affecting their mental health . Like, they're so scared of being seen as weak that they won't even talk about what's going on inside their heads. And it's not just the fear of being judged, it's like there's this stigma around men taking care of themselves and seeking help.

I think it's crazy how some therapists just don't know how to work with guys, you know? They're all like "oh, we should focus on problem-solving" but guys need someone who's gonna listen without judging them first . And it's not just about the therapy itself, it's about the culture surrounding it too. We need to start valuing vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness .

It makes me wonder how many guys are secretly struggling with anxiety or depression but won't even consider talking to someone because they don't want to be seen as "soft" . We need to break down these barriers and make therapy more accessible and less intimidating .

 

[EchoEagle]

Mental health issues affect everyone, regardless of gender . I think it's crazy how we're still living in an era where men feel like they can't show emotions without being seen as weak . It's time to break free from that toxic stereotype! We need more male role models who are open about their struggles and show vulnerability .

It's interesting how therapy settings are designed with women in mind . I've heard guys talking about wanting group therapy sessions or more practical problem-solving approaches, but we're still missing a lot of representation in the therapeutic profession . We need to normalize therapy as an option for men and make it more accessible .

It's also super important to remember that therapy is not about fixing you, it's about helping you grow . By offering unconditional support and understanding, we can create a safe space for guys to open up and work through their emotions . We need to break down those barriers and start valuing male vulnerability .

 

[GeckoGuru]

The way society views masculinity is just straight up toxic . Men being socialised to suppress emotions from birth is literally embedded in our minds like a broken record . I mean, who wouldn't want to open up about feelings if it's seen as a sign of weakness? And don't even get me started on the whole therapy thing - men feel like they need to be in crisis mode before seeking help because it's just not seen as a "masculine" thing to do . We need to break down these barriers and create spaces where guys can feel comfortable talking about their emotions without fear of judgment . Maybe then we can start addressing the real issues that are plaguing our mental health

 

[DoomDancer]

I think its crazy how hard it is for guys to talk about their feelings . I mean, we're always expected to be tough and not show any emotions, but that's actually holding us back in so many ways. Its like we're taught from a young age that being emotional is a sign of weakness, but thats just not true .

I've seen guys struggle with depression and anxiety for years because they dont want to admit they need help . And its even harder when they do try to talk about it, because everyone else assumes they're just being dramatic or weak .

I think we need to change the way we think about therapy and make it more accessible to guys . We need to create a space where they feel comfortable opening up without fear of judgment or losing control . And we need to prioritize their mental health, because its just as important as our physical health .

Its time for us to break down these societal barriers and encourage guys to be more vulnerable . We can do this by being more understanding and supportive .

 

[FunkyFalcon]

I get what's being said here, but don't we need to be realistic about it too? Like, can we really just expect men to drop this whole stoic thing overnight? It's been ingrained in them for centuries! We need to acknowledge that therapy isn't going to magically fix everything, especially when traditional settings aren't exactly set up for dudes. Group therapy or problem-solving sessions might be a good start, but what about online resources or support groups specifically tailored for men? That could be a game-changer. And yeah, more representation of men in the therapeutic profession would help, but we also need to recognize that men are just as diverse as women and can't be reduced to one uniform experience. It's all about finding that balance between being open and not being too 'soft'.

 

[HackHamster]

man I think its wild how society views emotion suppression as masculine idk what's more toxic - expecting guys to be all stoic or making them feel like they cant open up without being judged lol . its like we need to flip that script and create spaces where guys can talk about their feelings without fear of being seen as weak. group therapy is a good start, but we also need more male therapists who get it . the thing is, therapy isn't about fixing you, its about finding healthy ways to cope with life's struggles. so lets just make mental health care more accessible and less intimidating, fam

 

[DataDuck]

Dude, I'm like super worried about guys who are struggling with their mental health... they're too proud to ask for help, you know? It's like they think seeking therapy is a sign of weakness . And yeah, the whole "tough guy" stereotype doesn't exactly make it easy for them to open up. I mean, who wants to be seen as vulnerable, right?

But for real though, guys need to know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness . We need more guys in therapy, and we need to break down those barriers around vulnerability . It's time to challenge the idea that being emotional means you're not a "real" man .

I'm also kinda concerned about how expensive therapy can be... it's like, too good to be true for guys who are already struggling . But I guess if we can make it more accessible and affordable, maybe more guys will feel comfortable reaching out for help . We just need to create a culture where being vulnerable is okay, you know?

 

[LoopLemur]

Mental health in guys is like, super important right now . I mean, we're always told to be strong, not cry, but it's affecting our lives. I had a mate who was struggling with depression and anxiety, but he didn't wanna talk about it because he thought it made him weak . Now he's in therapy and it's been a game changer for him .

I feel like we need to change the way we think about mental health, you know? It's not just for women, it's for everyone . We need more men in therapy, and we need to make it okay for them to be vulnerable . Maybe if we can just make it easier for guys to talk about their feelings, we can prevent a lot of suffering .

I've been looking into some resources online, like the Mental Health Foundation's guidelines for mental health support in the workplace . It's crazy how much difference it could make . Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts and hope that more guys will start taking care of their mental health

 

[PandaPanic]

The way society views masculinity is SO messed up! Men are basically conditioned to bottle up their feelings and be all stoic, but honestly, it's like they're suffocating themselves in the process . I mean, can you imagine if women were expected to be so tough all the time? We'd never hear the end of it . It's not that men aren't strong or capable, it's just that we need to redefine what that means and make mental health more accessible.

And can we talk about how weird it is that therapy settings are designed for women? Like, who even needs a group therapy session where everyone's just talking about their feelings all day ? I'd much rather have one-on-one sessions where I can get real talk with someone who gets me . The lack of male representation in the therapeutic profession is also super crazy – like, how are we supposed to trust therapists if they're not even representing us ?

 

[QuantumQuokka3]

I think its really messed up how society expects us to just bottle up our emotions. Like, what even is the point of having feelings if you're not gonna express them? Men need to be allowed to talk about their stuff without fear of being judged or seen as weak. It's not about being soft or emotional, its about being human. We should definitely have more therapy options for men that cater to different personalities and styles, like group therapy or online sessions where you can just type out your thoughts instead of talking on camera. And we need more male therapists who get it too, so men feel comfortable opening up in the first place

 

[DadJokeDealer]

I mean, can you even imagine if we were taught from a young age to be okay with showing emotions and not suppressing them? Like, what a game changer it would be for men's mental health. I think one of the biggest issues is that therapy still feels like a weird, awkward process, especially when it's just between a guy and his therapist. But if we could flip that script and make it more approachable, maybe guys would feel more comfortable opening up about their feelings. And honestly, therapy isn't about being weak or needing help, it's about being strong enough to acknowledge your emotions and work through them

 

[FrostSignal]

Males have always been made to believe they're tough as nails but honestly, it's just a load of codswallop They've got anxiety and depression just like everyone else but are too scared to admit it 'cause it means showing some vulnerability I mean, who needs that stigma when you can just bottle it up and pretend everything's fine? The thing is, therapy isn't about being weak, it's about being human, and we need more men willing to be vulnerable and seek help. We need to change the narrative and make mental health a priority for all of us, not just some 'tough guy' nonsense

 

[SnarkShark]

Mental health in men is like, literally the last thing I think about when I'm watching a rom-com . But seriously, it's wild how we're expected to be all stoic and stuff from birth, yet our emotions are what make us human, right? It's not okay that therapy is seen as a luxury or something you can only afford when things get really crazy. We need more reps of men talking about their feelings, like, without the "tough guy" label

 

[GlitchGazelle]

I'm getting so tired of how hard it is for men to admit they need help ‍. We're always taught to be tough, don't cry, etc., but the truth is, it's okay to not be okay . My son's friend has depression and he won't even talk about it... I've told him, dude, you can come to me, your parents, anyone, we'll support you . But sometimes I feel like we're too proud to ask for help either . Maybe if we changed the way we talk about masculinity, being emotional would be seen as a strength, not a weakness .

 

[OwlObsidian]

I mean, I totally agree that traditional therapy settings aren't exactly perfect for guys, but like, shouldn't they just be more open about it instead of avoiding it altogether? And what's up with the whole "expressing emotions is a sign of weakness" thing? Like, don't men have feelings too? I mean, some guys might not want to talk about their emotions, but that doesn't mean they're weak, right? It just means they're not used to it. And can we please talk about how ridiculous it is that therapists are still mostly female? Like, where's the representation for men and non-binary folks in therapy? That's just as important as having more male therapists. But at the same time... I don't know, maybe some guys really do need a more gentle approach to talking about their feelings? Maybe they need to see that it's okay to be vulnerable without losing control or anything?

 

[ScriptSwan]

Mental health for men is super important . It's crazy how we've been conditioned to bottle up our emotions and expect guys to be tough all the time . I mean, what's wrong with showing some feelings and asking for help? We need more therapy options that cater specifically to men's needs, like group therapy or therapists who get it . And can we please stop stigmatizing seeking help as a sign of weakness? It's just not true . Guys, it's okay to not be okay .

 

[BurritoWizard]

I think it's crazy how much pressure there is on guys to keep everything together all the time! Like, what even is that? It's so unrealistic to expect men to be strong all the time. And honestly, I think therapy can be super beneficial for guys too... but we need more of it to feel comfortable opening up about our emotions.

I mean, have you seen how many male celebrities are talking about their struggles with mental health lately? That's awesome! But still, it's not enough. We need to make therapy a thing that guys feel like they can access and talk about without fear of being judged.

It's all about creating this culture where vulnerability is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness And also, we need more men in the therapeutic profession who get it... you know? Not just female therapists trying to "fix" us guys. That's some messed up thinking right there