The Lonely Man - Male Mental Health
Donation protected
We have socialized boys from a young age to be strong, silent, competitive, and to handle their own business. We've told them that seeking help is a sign of weakness, not strength. Boys don't cry. Man Up. Power through. Rub some dirt on it. All these phrases are continuing to cause men problems. We are seeing the results of this socialization and as a society we have been slow to react. We need to start by encouraging men to talk, tell them that it is to get help and it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
This socialization leads men to isolation. Few friends to really open up to. Masking emotions with alcohol, drugs, risky behavior. You have to be strong, even with those closest to you. As a result, many men struggle with their mental health until they can no longer bear the pain and seek an exit. While the Canadian ratio is 3:1 male to female for completed suicide, here in our province we are at 5:1. We can do better. We will do better.
As a counselor I have heard the story so many times. Men with issues of finances, employment, self esteem, transition or marital problems that get buried instead of dealt with. The resulting snowball effect causes a deterioration of mental health that could have had a much better result if only it were met head on instead of trying to stay true to our stereotype.
I have taken this cause to both our provincial and federal governments and it has thus far fallen on deaf ears. I am not ready to give up. In fact, I am more determined than ever and have taken a different approach. I have written a song called "The Lonely Man", and together with the very talented Ray Carrier, we put the music to this story I have heard so often. It resonates with males, females, young and old. It needs to be heard, awareness and discussion need to be had. But for people to hear "The Lonely Man", it needs to be recorded. That's where you come in. With your donation, we can get the song recorded and released, with partial proceeds going towards a Men's Resource Centre.
Let's help the men that are suffering. Let's help the women and partners that need the men in their lives to get help, because they cannot do it alone. Let's help the children who need Dad to be there - at the Daddy/Daughter dance, at their ball games, at their weddings and to see their grand kids.
We are asking you to help us get The Lonely Man recorded - help us get this story heard. When it comes to men's mental health, we all know a guy.
Thank you.
This socialization leads men to isolation. Few friends to really open up to. Masking emotions with alcohol, drugs, risky behavior. You have to be strong, even with those closest to you. As a result, many men struggle with their mental health until they can no longer bear the pain and seek an exit. While the Canadian ratio is 3:1 male to female for completed suicide, here in our province we are at 5:1. We can do better. We will do better.
As a counselor I have heard the story so many times. Men with issues of finances, employment, self esteem, transition or marital problems that get buried instead of dealt with. The resulting snowball effect causes a deterioration of mental health that could have had a much better result if only it were met head on instead of trying to stay true to our stereotype.
I have taken this cause to both our provincial and federal governments and it has thus far fallen on deaf ears. I am not ready to give up. In fact, I am more determined than ever and have taken a different approach. I have written a song called "The Lonely Man", and together with the very talented Ray Carrier, we put the music to this story I have heard so often. It resonates with males, females, young and old. It needs to be heard, awareness and discussion need to be had. But for people to hear "The Lonely Man", it needs to be recorded. That's where you come in. With your donation, we can get the song recorded and released, with partial proceeds going towards a Men's Resource Centre.
Let's help the men that are suffering. Let's help the women and partners that need the men in their lives to get help, because they cannot do it alone. Let's help the children who need Dad to be there - at the Daddy/Daughter dance, at their ball games, at their weddings and to see their grand kids.
We are asking you to help us get The Lonely Man recorded - help us get this story heard. When it comes to men's mental health, we all know a guy.
Thank you.
Organizer
Bill Jeffery
Organizer
St. John's, NL
