Men often feel the pressure to hide their struggles with mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Surprisingly, 40% of men who experience these symptoms have never talked to anyone about their mental health, with 29% feeling embarrassed and 20% fearing the negative stigma surrounding the issue. Society expects men to be strong, silent, and independent, making it difficult for them to acknowledge their struggles.
To address this issue, Grand Mental Health is launching a mental health group specifically for men. The group will focus on topics such as fatherhood, marriage, and men’s overall physical and mental well-being. While there will be scheduled topics, the group will also allow members to bring up any issues that are on their minds. This open group is not limited to current clients of Grand Mental Health but is open to any man in the community who wants to participate. Additionally, there will be occasional guest speakers or projects but most sessions will have a loose structure.
The goal of the group is to create a supportive environment where men can learn to trust each other and grow personally. They aim to help men believe in themselves and ultimately begin to heal. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City located at 2101 North Ash. Although meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month, the May meeting is being held early due to the Pioneer Tech Center graduation ceremony. For more information contact Jeff Shelton at Grand Mental Health at 918-629-4374.