The Stigma of Mental Health as a Male
Guest Post by Devon Mitchell

Hello, my name is Devon Mitchell. I’m a 28 year old male that tackles
anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts every single day.

At first, I was scared to talk about my struggles and thought it would never be accepted by the people around me. Then, I met Aurora, and she gave me the courage to step up and step out.

Being a male with mental health problems is scary but is very common. I
didn’t know that. I thought I had to suppress them and be the manly man that
doesn’t have any problems. I’m glad that chapter is over, and I can be me. I’ve
gotten to talk to a lot of males about their struggles because they see that it’s
okay to not be okay.

My family wasn’t the best about accepting it and my brother even telling
me to stop posting depressing stuff on social media because people keep asking
him if I’m okay. I wasn’t okay, some of my family didn’t see it, and that’s when the
suicide attempts started.

After two failed attempts, people started listening and
helping me by seeking help for me.

What if one of those attempts would have been successful? Then my family
and friends would have said, “I wish I would have listened”. Why does it take that
for people to finally see I needed help?

Why didn’t everyone see me as a human
being that was struggling, rather than a male that shouldn’t be talking about
those things?

The stigma is real!

The stigma that you can’t have problems and if you’re a male then you definitely can’t have problems. It is so real! 

Mental health doesn’t discriminate against anyone, anywhere, or anytime.
That doesn’t mean you can’t win the battle though. It doesn’t mean that you can’t
put one foot in front of the other, every morning. It doesn’t mean that you can’t
wear a real smile and have a genuine laugh.

On the other hand, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a mental day, a break from reality, and take care of YOU first. The process to beating mental health, has no timeline. It has a lot of days that include barely making it out of bed and you having those mental days. I wish it was easy and I wish it was as simple as saying, “I’m healed”. It’s a long road with a lot of speed bumps and a lot of setbacks.

The best part about it all is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE my friend. So many people struggle with the same things that you deal with. Talking about your mental health can be scary and uncomfortable.

You may be worried about what your best friend or your family may say. I can tell you with confidence, if they love you, then they will comfort you and accept you for what you are struggling with.Fair warning, they may not understand at first. Educating and research are all a part of the process. It will help everyone…..including yourself.

I learned somuch by reading books, talking to friends, and just being apart of a group of strangers, through social media, that deal with the same struggles.
Like I said earlier, I tackle my mental health every single day. Some days are
easier than others and some days it feels like I’ve hit rock bottom.

I always remember though; I am worth it to stick around. I remind myself every day with sticky notes on my bathroom mirror of encouraging words, my mental health
group, and by reading the first page of my journal every day that reads three
simple words, “YOU ARE ENOUGH." 

So, to sum it up……step up and speak out. You are worth it. You are worth
the time and energy. You are worth saving. The world needs you. I don’t care
what you’ve done in the past, what gender you are, what nationality, or who has
told you that you have to be the “strong person."

Talk to someone, seek help, find understanding, and do it for YOU! You matter, you are enough, and you are loved.

Until Next Time My Friends,

Devon Mitchell