Breaking the Silence: Why Men Need to Talk About Their Mental Health | Henry Nelson Case | TEDxAUBG
NOTE FROM TED: This talk contains a discussion of suicidal ideation. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please consult a mental health professional and/or support organization, as this talk is not a substitute for mental health advice. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf
In his talk, Henry shares his personal journey with mental health struggles as a young lawyer and how toxic masculine stereotypes played a role in his experience. He discusses the societal expectations and gender norms that make it difficult for men to seek support when struggling with mental health issues and the harmful coping mechanisms that men often turn to. Henry also highlights the significant consequences of this stigma and lack of support, including male suicide, and offers practical solutions to promote men’s mental health. Henry is a qualified lawyer from the UK, and a newfound influencer as well. He strives to promote the importance of mental health in the workplace and challenges toxic corporate behaviors.
On social media, he creates relatable and impactful content that positively touches the lives of all those who have been affected by negative corporate workplace behaviors. Henry is also a co-founder of a company that helps law firms and organizations utilize the benefits of short-form videos.
With his personal experience in the corporate world and a passion for mental health awareness, Henry aims to foster a community of people that can openly talk about their experiences and support each other. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
38 Comments
Any attorneys in here deal with men's mental health in the workplace. The ECOC is doing an investigation and i wish I could talk to some legal representation. Before anyone says any suggestions remember I'm a single father who's gf contracted ovarian tumors. So she isn't working. So I'm broke. I'm barely hanging on. I go days without eating because I feel my child and gf should eat first. I know everyone has their problems. I'm just praying an attorney reads this and remembers how hard life can be and will help me pro Bono. There still has to be decent people left in this world. This is me, asking for help.
I'm a Irish queer silver daddy, I love him so ❤
Survival above all else, guys. At the end of day you just gotta survive..
I don't have any friends, I'm extremely introverted and have social anxiety. This coupled with the fact that I don't like sports and I don't drink or smoke makes it very hard to connect with other men. When I get comfortable, I overshare and I feel people distancing themselves. So I put my walls up again. It's not easy making friends as a man. Most men have friends from childhood and keep those friends as they get older. I was home-schooled for my seconday years and no one kept in contact after college and there were no men in my classes in university, (Journalism isn't very popular I guess). I have 5 brothers but 2 are younger and 3 are married. I have two sisters but it's not the same as having a male connection. The only person I can talk to is God.
I tried to talk to a friend once. She told me to seek professional help and ghosted me after that. I believe we are able to reach out and talk but at this stage we have to be really cautious about who we choose to talk to
Very great and valuable insight! Unfortunately this video was released a couple of weeks too late…..
Let’s be real – in professions like the military, law, medicine etc., ruthless competitors will use any admission of vulnerability like this to get ahead of you – he can talk about it now that he’s out but good luck otherwise
A close friend of mine reached out, we also happened to be close friends 😂 jokes aside, lots of love to you man for getting up there
It’s hard to address men’s mental health with extreme feminism today.
It’s like men have traumas too. It goes both ways.
Cars horn too much in India
Mens mental health sumed up in two words. "Im fine". End of conversation.
I’m a new YouTuber and THIS is what my channel is about. I’d love to create a community because honestly I want to help others and also my life severely lacks likeminded people to talk about this stuff with 😢
Here are 20 important points from Henry Nelson's TEDxAUBG talk on why men need to discuss their mental health:
1. **Breaking Stigma**: Societal expectations pressure men to stay silent about emotions.
2. **Healthy Coping**: Talking prevents negative coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
3. **Emotional Strength**: Expressing emotions is a sign of strength, not weakness.
4. **Reducing Isolation**: Speaking up reduces feelings of loneliness.
5. **Mental Health Crisis**: Male suicide rates are higher due to repressed emotions.
6. **Challenging Masculinity Norms**: Men are conditioned to prioritize toughness over vulnerability.
7. **Building Empathy**: Talking about struggles fosters understanding and compassion.
8. **Improving Relationships**: Open communication enhances personal and professional relationships.
9. **Role Models**: Men who talk about their mental health become positive examples for others.
10. **Addressing Trauma**: Discussing emotional pain helps men process trauma healthily.
11. **Preventing Violence**: Bottled-up anger can lead to aggression or violence.
12. **Mental Health Awareness**: Raises awareness that men are equally vulnerable to mental health challenges.
13. **Creating Safe Spaces**: Men need environments where they feel safe to share their emotions.
14. **Self-Compassion**: Encouraging men to be kind to themselves when they experience mental health struggles.
15. **Resilience Building**: Vulnerability strengthens emotional resilience.
16. **Overcoming Shame**: Talking helps men overcome the shame associated with mental health issues.
17. **Therapeutic Benefits**: Conversations can be a form of therapy.
18. **Cultural Change**: Normalizing emotional openness in men leads to broader cultural shifts.
19. **Accountability**: Men who talk about their mental health hold each other accountable for self-care.
20. **Saving Lives**: Encouraging men to talk can reduce the number of male suicides and improve overall well-being.
I feel like unaliveing myself but no one cares aboute
The more I feel depressed the more I want to stay alone; I simply do not want to see any people
Men definitely need to talk about their mental health but forget it because for the vast majority men it's never go to happen. I wouldn't do it and not one guy in my male friendship group would. A number of us have learnt from bitter experience that this is a luxury we can't afford because when we've tried it has been turned against us. Once bitten twice shy. In our group we've realised there is only one person you can trust 100% and that is yourself.
Sadly no one care really. Just a few. I appreciate the words
It's hard to keep up on everything now. It's stressful and there is no one to talk to.
I wish men would talk including me but frankly I don't think it will ever happen. Unfortunately society sees men as being toxic by default and that all the ills of the world are their fault, so when men do open up it very, very rarely goes well…sadly I've learnt this the hard way. Even when I'm at my most down I never ever feel lonely. I always prefer my own company and that's why I always decline invites to social events and that includes my son's wedding next year. Thankfully he's very understanding and we've agreed that we will celebrate separately from the main event.
What to do when someone just bangs in with more and more responsibility without thinking about their well-being?
Even if they ask, and don't mean it?
Women: “You have no idea what’s like to feel alone and have no one to talk to”
🙂
Thank you Henry! 😊🙏🏻
in a year this have gained only 50k views ONLY 50k views let that sink in
It will take me time to sort through all of the variations and consequences of male mental health and ultimately overall wellness & happiness in relationships with themselves & others, including women and all of their potential uniqueness including their issues with mental/emotional health. I’ll try. I will think/feel/recall/research and apply what I already know & feel, as well; but I will TRY rather than generalizing or intellectualizing. I commit to this SEARCH into the Realities presented here, by many; thusly applying such to my own subjective and objective experience. It’s going to take me awhile to process this in perspective and understanding, empathy and compassion but also in practical yet objective application to being in such a complex relationship. (FIRST REACTION: No I didn’t know. In relationships I’m all heart, this will require my head, too; and at a level of astute attention to a multitude of questions, answers & variables. ) I can only promise to try, at this stage of awareness and understanding.
It will take me time to sort through all of the variations and consequences of male mental health and ultimately overall wellness & happiness in relationships with themselves & others, including women and all of their potential uniqueness including their issues with mental/emotional health. I’ll try. I will think/feel/recall/research and apply what I already know & feel, as well; but I will TRY rather than generalizing or intellectualizing. I commit to this SEARCH into the Realities presented here, by many; thusly applying such to my own subjective and objective experience. It’s going to take me awhile to process this in perspective and understanding, empathy and compassion but also in practical yet objective application to being in such a complex relationship. (FIRST REACTION: No I didn’t know. In relationships I’m all heart, this will require my head, too; and at a level of astute attention to a multitude of questions, answers & variables. ) I can only promise to try, at this stage of awareness and understanding.
I am going through a complete midlife and existential crisis. My marriage has failed. Two businesses shut down at 2023 starting a new career working two jobs 70 hours a week. Two amazing sons. I can't support my home. I wake up in the morning and the first thought my mind is about how worthless I am, how low I am on myself and how I can barely get myself out of bed to show up for life. But I continue to everyday day. I just don't know where to turn anymore. I'm falling apart the seams. It's so hard to find genuine people, especially men that I can feel comfortable around and let some of this internal worry and stress out all my brother's out there. I hope you're doing okay and if anyone out there has an ear to lend, I'm a good-hearted guy. I can really use the help and would love to help somebody else as well
if a woan says she is not ok she gets supoort from mena dn women when a man says that he is moocked and insulted by both men and women prove me wrong i dare all the motehrduckers on yt
Congratulations for finding a way to understand and deal with your mental health struggles, @Henry. And also for speaking publicly about your challenges. More people need to do this!
I just feel so alone all the time with no one to talk to about my mental health. It’s really taking a toll on me and I don’t see anyway out of it
Hi my name is Nathan and I am healing ❤️🩹 I support all you
This is awesome
Everyday is a struggle, i work 50 hours a week. I pay every bill. Every weekend i drink a lot of alchahol and i use drugs. I am not addicted, but it just takes my brain away from reallity. I dont want to tell anyone because i dont want to be shown as weak. What i need to do?
I don't see it as a big deal if people wanna self delete the modern world is absolutely unbearable unless you're attractive, talented or a psychopath.
A lack of traditional masculinity is what’s impacting men’s mental health.
As a blue collar worker u lost me at 1 min into this
I talked about my mental health and now i have no frIends. Thanks society.. You are all talk and no action
No comments on here from concerned women: they’re too busy updating they’re social media profiles, the cunts.
If someone were to ask me what a hug feels like, I would have no idea.
But if someone were to ask me what a punch in the face feels like, I would describe every detail.
Only men can relate to this quote,
for women it's vise versa.