Father’s Day is fast approaching. I’m reminded of all the dads out there who are silently suffering. Often times men’s mental health gets overlooked because men are taught that they’re not to cry or complain, that they need to “man up,” and that women are the emotional ones who talk about their feelings.
So many times when I meet with parents, I learn that father’s are dealing with untreated anxiety or depression, unspoken trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, grieving the loss of a loved one, or wanting their relationships to be different. Some men are just going mindlessly through the motions of their life, day after day, unaware that they aren’t really happy. Often times, father’s have things they want to say to their family but aren’t sure how.
No matter how you’re feeling, let’s look at the facts about men.
FACTS:
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Nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety
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4 times as many men as women die by suicide every year
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Men do benefit from psychotherapy!
So on this Father’s Day, it’s an opportunity to invest in support, happiness and balance. Maybe you’re missing your Dad or thinking about the way you were parented. Maybe you’re questioning your own decisions as a parent, want to regain your sense of self, or finally give a voice to the pain you’ve been living with. I love working with adult men, and would be honored to introduce you to therapy as a space that’s all about you.
TIPS to Empower Men:
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Get clear on your love language. Often times the way your partner thinks they’re acknowledging you isn’t doing it for you. Being able to communicate how you want to be acknowledged can make you feel more appreciated and allow for more emotional intimacy in your relationship.
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Discover what self-care means to you; Reserve time every day to do something healthy that’s calming or rejuvenating for yourself, by yourself, even if only for 5-10 minutes.
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Initiate conversation with the people you want to keep in your life- don’t assume they already know how much you care. Even a text telling someone you’re thinking about them and hope they’re doing well can go a long way.
Katie has been a Therapist at Inspire for 3 years. She loves helping adults align with what’s important to them, getting them out of their heads and into their lives!
