Men Help, But Men Need Help

Men's mental health is a tough topic to approach, but I believe it's not just mental health that people don't wanna talk about. I believe it's men's issues in general that the general public fails to sympathize and consider. So when I say MEN, many turn off their ears and stop listening. I don't even have to get to the topic of mental health before the audience leaves the room. How do I back this theory with something more than just subjective experience? Vocal (this platform) itself has just 553 stories posted to the category for MEN, but over 53 thousand stories posted to BUSINESS, a category that many men relate with and follow closely.

Not only that, but out of those 553 stories posted to MEN on this site, it took 458 writers (or creators) to reach that mark. This means that only about 100 creators actually posted more than once. These numbers indicate that about 450 of them only posted one story, and that was it. Maybe this was a Father's Day post, or a story written for a specific challenge hosted by Vocal. I would almost dare to guess that the motivation to write in this category was incentivized by those events taking place. It is very hard to look at those numbers and make any assumption that a Vocal creator is coming on the site just to speak on men's issues. The numbers actually indicate that if I were to start doing that, I might be the only one.

For the BUSINESS category, there are many contributing creators who are repeat visitors, posting at least 2 or more stories. The numbers indicate this by showing that out of the more than 53 thousand stories posted, almost 19 thousand creators have contributed. So in those totals, we see that the vast majority of creators posting in this category are posting more than once. With 19 thousand doubled into 38 thousand, you could even assume that EVERY creator who visits the BUSINESS category has posted multiple stories, seeing as 38 thousand is still below the amount of overall total stories. I want to ask why men and women take up such an interest in speaking on business, but very few of us are openly discussing men and the issues we face. Even if it's not speaking on the issues, you'd think writers would want to share and celebrate in mens' successes.

I believe this discrepancy tells a lot about our society, and the stigma around supporting men has become contagious. It's as if men have enough support just by tapping into the families they support. It's like we all just assume men are supported by those they support, but it's not always highlighted that many times their families don't have the capacity to support them back, which is why they need that man in the first place. The man supporting is not always supported, and that's a story we don't always want to hear, so we're even less likely to wanna speak it.

I know if I can post in this category once a week, maybe these issues for MEN would gain awareness. Maybe as awareness grows in other categories with other successful initiatives, maybe men as a whole can come together and put together a successful initiative as well. I believe if men are going to gather support for themselves, they are likely going to have to do it THEMSELVES. It is no knock to women or children, or this age of men or that age, but it is time now to take a stand and help support men, regardless of who is able to get the job done.

It is important that we recognize how much endless and unwavering support comes from men, and that if men don't feel supported it's probably because they're not. They're told what they want to hear in the moment, and then when support doesn't show up, it's men who have to struggle through tough situations and show their grit. There is often nobody else around to provide an alternative otherwise. So when men are not being supported, and the men who DO support faithfully happen to run empty, where does the much needed support for the family come from without them? What about as a nation who needs strong men, where do we turn for support if they aren't as strong anymore, or if they just aren't there at all? How do you generate support without supporting men?

I hope to dive further into this issue, and also to help bring awareness to what men have to endure in this life. I know everyone needs support, but in order for us as men to give that much needed support, we as well have to have a sound support system! Without support for ourselves, we cannot be the great support that everyone we love expects us to be!!!