Breaking the Silence: Why Men’s Mental Health Conversations Save Lives
Men’s mental health matters, but too often silence is the default. Discover real stories of struggle, resilience, and hope from our Men’s Mental Health Round Table, and learn why opening up can change a life, or even save one.
John Adams
8/10/20253 min read
Why Men’s Mental Health Still Hides in the Shadows
For generations, men have been told to be the rock. The strong one. The problem solver. And while strength is important, that unspoken rule, “Never Show Weakness,” is crushing too many men in silence.
I used to live that way. I bottled up every fear, frustration, and failure, thinking it made me stronger. But here’s what I’ve learned: real strength doesn’t come from pretending you’re okay, it comes from facing what’s really going on.
That’s why I pulled up a chair with three other men from very different walks of life and we had the kind of mental health conversation most guys never get to have. “No scripts. No sugarcoating. Just truth.”
The Power of Vulnerability in Men’s Mental Health
When we started the Round Table, I came in with my own story.
I shared how, for years, I thought strength meant holding everything in. I wasn’t the guy who said “I love you” easily. If you got a hug from me, you held onto it, because it didn’t happen often. I believed keeping my feelings locked away was protecting me, but in reality, it was isolating me
Over time, through a lot of trial and error, I learned that real strength isn’t about pretending you’re okay. It’s about facing what’s actually going on and being willing to talk about it. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you real.
And as the conversation went on, something powerful happened: once I opened up, the others began sharing their own stories too. Each voice built on the last, the weight of those silent struggles started to feel a little lighter, and every story came with a valuable lesson.
Why Community Is a Lifeline
Randall said something that’s at the heart of what we talk about in Living95:
“Find somebody to talk to. They don’t have to share your struggle, just listen.”
That’s the thing about mental health, you don’t need someone who has lived your exact story, you just need someone willing to hear it.
A real support system doesn’t try to fix you. It just makes sure you don’t disappear inside your own head.
From Rock Bottom to Rebuilding
Franc’s story is proof that hard times don’t have to define you forever. He’s been through homelessness and hopelessness, and came out stronger.
He told us, “Those hard times helped make him a better person and to appreciate the smaller things.”
It’s a reminder that rock bottom can break you, but it can also rebuild you, if you let it.
Holding On to Your Why
Lee may be the youngest in the group, but his story is proof that wisdom is not only earned with age. At 20, he has faced battles many people never will, living with anxiety, depression, and a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia.
When asked what keeps him going, Lee did not hesitate:
“My why is my family. I stay here for my sisters, for my dad, for my mom… My mom saved my life once, and I can’t let that happen again. I can’t leave.”
Even without kids or the same responsibilities as the others, Lee’s reminder was clear. Your “why” does not have to look like anyone else’s. It only has to be powerful enough to keep you moving forward, especially on the days you want to give up.
Why This Conversation Can’t Wait
Men’s mental health isn’t just about men, it’s about families, communities, and everyone who depends on us.
When we don’t talk, we don’t heal. And the silence? It’s dangerous.
If you’ve been carrying something alone, hear me on this: You are not weak. You are not broken. You are not alone.
3 Ways to Start Breaking the Silence Today
1. Check in, for real. Text or call a friend and ask, “How are you… really?”
2. Share your own story. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be honest.
3. Find your people. Join a group, talk to a counselor, or just meet a friend for coffee.
Join the Movement
The more we talk about men’s mental health, the more we normalize it — and the more lives we can change.
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And if this hit home for you, share it with someone who needs to hear it today. You never know who might be waiting for permission to speak up.
