Lets’ Talk About Men’s Mental Health… masculine stereotypes, the power of crying, and shifting your emotional output

Apr 27

In my continued search for individuals, resources, or communities of men speaking about Men’s Mental health, I came across the Man Enough website. According to their website, “Man Enough is a movement founded on the belief that by undefining traditional roles and traits of masculinity, men will be able to realize their potential as humans and their capacity for connection.” In addition to great content on their site, their founders, including actor Justin Baldoni, host a weekly Man Enough Podcast where conversations occur amongst other thought leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors, doctors, actors, athletes etc all surrounding the importance of breaking down the barriers to Men’s mental health. I love the way in which Justin and his co-hosts have created a space for men to have genuine, thought provoking, and honest conversations about a range of topics…all related to Men’s health.

Below are a few of the valuable take-aways from a recent episode with guest Jason Wilson, author of the book Battle Cry: Waging and Winning the War Within. In the episode Jason speaks from the heart about the challenges he has faced as a man, explores the ways in which masculinity and masculine roles/stereotypes have limited him as an individual, and speaks to the incredible value and importance of learning how to cry.

“If I can help break this narrative, this cycle that we can't cry, even Justin as we talk about masculinity…there's nothing toxic about masculinity- a man becomes toxic when he only lives his life from masculine attributes such as strength, boldness, aggression. When you only allow yourself to operate under that umbrella, now you shut off half of your humanity. You can't you can't be a nurturer, you can't be compassionate, you can't be in suffering because it counters with this world has told us a man is.”
“I want to touch on the power of crying and the science behind it. I'm studying the work of biochemist Dr. William Frey… he discovered that tears not only contained 98% water but also stress hormones and they get it's secreted from our bodies when we cry, and that's why the majority of times after we cry we feel better.”
“Its just so imperative that as men, we learn how to not only shed physical tears, but to release the trauma and emotional pain that we've held the heart in mind for years.”
“That’s why I cry, because so many of us live from the feelings of what we’re not instead of who we really are.”