Therapy stigmas

[nursingpassion]

I get that it’s hard for people to accept going to therapy. I mean hell I was one of those people...

But was gets me is when someone gets offended by another person suggesting that they should go....

like there’s something wrong with therapy.

Like there’s something wrong with people who go to therapy.

Like they are better than it.

Idk it just bothers me...

[hypercat54]

A lot of people (more men that women) think it's a sign of weakness to have mental health problems and to admit you need help. With men it seems to be an ego thing and thinking they have to be strong as it affects their masculinity. x

[Jonesie123 in reply to hypercat54]

Hello. I Agree with you there. I felt totally diminished when I had to admit I was suffering and in need of help. Especially growing up in a brawling drinking town as a young male. I was taken to therapy at 11 years old...it wasn't suggested though 😁. In time though, I somehow switched it on it's head. All of the things, experiences, trauma and possibly additives 🙄 that unlocked parts of my brain, just opened the doors to a new mental university that I wasn't aware of. All the subjects were new and other students were unfamiliar at first. But as I was forced to attend, I studied, I learned. I'm better for it now, as I understand me so much better than I did. I'm so much stronger for it in many ways and I realise now that external help was the only way to go.

Rambling again...grrr, hyperactive is engaging!!!

[hypercat54 in reply to Jonesie123]

Ha ha you ramble away anytime you like I think it's tragic that so many men refuse to get help. I read somewhere that the main cause of death in the western world of men aged between 25-40 is suicide. Of course some women do too but their ego doesn't get in the way like it does with men. x

[nursingpassion in reply to Jonesie123]

So how would you suggest I help my friend, who is also male, to go to therapy when he has a mind set of what I described

[hypercat54 in reply to nursingpassion]

HI goodness knows! You could try pointing out to him that if for example broke his leg would he refuse treatment on the grounds he was toughing it out? Tell him too that's it's a sign of strength not weakness to admit he has a problem and to seek help. Good luck! x

[Jonesie123 in reply to nursingpassion]

Take the long way round. Don't suggest he goes. Try and put the mind probe in and let him think it's his idea. (Good luck with that bit of craftmanship). You might be surprised to find out that the stigma of therapy is not the wall to hurdle, merely the notion of being advised. Which as hypercat says is a male ego thing. You can't lead a horse to water...All you can do is let it know it's thirsty and that it would benefit from a drink.

"Hey (insert name here), there's a free beer sampling session down at the local MHC in town on Tuesday...fancy coming." That's a winner every time.

Seriously though it's not an easy one, but you may be surprised- I hope you are.

Sorry if I wasn't much help ☹

[nursingpassion in reply to Jonesie123]

And thank you for sharing 🙏🏽

[nursingpassion in reply to hypercat54]

It just sucks and I don’t know how to go about trying to get him to go and get help. Especially when they say those things... like it’s hard for me to even talk to him about my issues because what if he’s looking down on me now.... like since I found out he feels that was, I’m just worried he’s judging me..