June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, observed to start conversations around mental health and learn about available resources.
Jeffrey Nelson is a clinician and licensed mental health counselor at Iowa State’s Student Counseling Services.
Nelson provides individualized counseling, group therapy, workshops and outreach.
“Mental health awareness month is an opportunity to encourage conversation to reduce the stigma around help-seeking behavior,” Nelson said. “It’s for students to recognize that taking care of their mental health is just as important as their physical health.”
With the month dedicated to a specific gender, it can raise questions about a women’s mental health month or an overall mental health awareness month.
“Awareness helps normalize conversations and lead to seeking support, and men can be less likely to talk about their struggles or seek help when they need it,” Nelson said. “Naming and recognizing helps start conversations.”
It’s about drawing attention to an unrepresented group in mental health, not ignoring others’ struggles.
Men’s Mental Health Month isn’t just about mental health within yourself, but also about looking out for your friends.
“Help-seeking is a skill,” Nelson said. “We need to pay attention not only to ourselves but to people around us. We need to notice our friend’s changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from activities, loss of motivation. Individuals show distress in different ways; sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do is pay attention and check in.”
Self-reliance and the ability to navigate challenges alone are strong qualities, but it’s also important to know when to reach out for help and to be proactive.
“We don’t have to navigate every challenge alone,” Nelson said.
“College can be exciting and stressful, and one challenge that doesn’t get enough attention is loneliness, even with students who may seem connected,” Nelson said. “Being surrounded by people is not the same as feeling connected.”
On college campuses, getting involved in counseling services, peer support, mentoring relationships, student orgs and residence halls helps combat loneliness.
Although Iowa State isn’t doing anything specific for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, the Student Counseling Services is still available during the summer from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
More information on resources here.
“Research is clear that connection, stigma reduction and vulnerability, especially for men, where emotional expression can be a challenge, those things are important, and early support is a key factor in men’s mental health,” Nelson said.