Men's Mental Health

Men's mental health has traditionally been stigmatized and overlooked in our society. Cultural beliefs and societal expectations have propagated common phrases such as "man up" or "be a man," all of which imply that emotional blunting is "strong" and that true men don't feel complex emotions. Instead, men are taught to soldier on and work to fix whatever problem they are confronted with. Such misconceptions are so entrenched in American society and can be so harmful to all people. At Ardent Grove, we know men of all backgrounds have emotional lives. Unfortunately, cultural norms often do not allow boys and men to express their emotions unless in more acceptable 'masculine' forms. Generally, this is characterized by outward expression and can look like anger, isolation, substance misuse, risk-taking, aggression, and acting out, among other things. When society teaches men to dismiss their complicated emotional experiences, their abilities to manage their emotions effectively are hindered and can impact many areas of their lives, such as their capacity for intimacy, their sense of connection and purpose, and their ability to feel adequate in their community and in their own lives. Therapy offers a confidential space in which you can work to feel more connected to the world around you, more in control of your life, and less isolated. At the Ardent Grove Foundation, our clinicians are here to help support you as you navigate your experiences and learn new ways to connect to yourself and others.