MOD EDIT: This is a thread for awareness regarding things like mental/physical health issues, fear of being vulnerable, restrictive gender roles, and how these constructs perpetuate toxic masculinity. There is meaningful discussion to be had here so please do not post just to be dismissive.
As good a time as ever to shine a little light on mental and physical health issues that men deal with, and finding positive role models in our lives.
Despite society becoming more progressive, it's still often hard as men to come forward about depression, anxiety, stress, etc, which in turn just exacerbates the issues. Same goes for any physical problems. Speaking as someone who is right at the border of being a Gen-Xer and a Millennial, raised by baby boomers, my peers and I were largely taught that men need to "tough it out" and that anything less was seen as a weakness.
This applied when attempting to speak to parents, other men, and even women. Being labeled a "pussy" was all too easy. Not sure how this pertains to Generation Z'ers though, and if it's gotten any easier for them growing up mainly in the 2000s.
As someone who suffers from depression, which really comes in waves in between periods of relative normalcy, it's tough to explain to friends because they say they never see it. But again, that's me trying to "tough it out" by putting extra pressure on myself to not show that side of myself to them, because I don't want to burden others with my problems.
Feel free to share your own experiences.
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