Men’s Health Month: Small Steps Can Make a Difference

The uncertainty of the last few months has made me pause and reflect on how I’m taking care of myself and if I have been making the choices that I would want my children to make. Although I may sometimes fall short, I aim to model a holistic and healthy lifestyle for my kids.

June is Men’s Health Month and, as a father to two sons (and a daughter), I recognize the impact my actions have on them, knowing that the healthy habits they set for themselves now will be carried with them throughout their lives.

While we’ve always lived an all-around healthy lifestyle, it took some time for us to emphasize that mental health is just as important for someone’s overall wellbeing. We have members of our extended family who struggle with mental health issues, where I initially avoided the topic with our kids, worrying that they would misunderstand or perceive them differently. Once we opened up to them, however, it became much easier to have candid conversations and support one another. I consider these conversations especially important for my young adult boys given the increased stigma around mental health issues for men—and the fact that six million men are affected by depression each year.

Since opening a dialogue on mental health in our home, we have actively combatted the stigma surrounding mental health. We have important conversations about dealing with stress, anxiety and other emotions to demonstrate that we are available to one another and better ensure that our own needs are being met. Around the dinner table, we often discuss how we are all feeling, where we can help each other and how we’re taking care of ourselves. One resource we’ve been especially fond of is the Calm app, which helps support mindfulness. I am proud of my children for many reasons, but their openness and support of one another certainly ranks near the top.

All families are unique, so I recognize that our dynamic may not work for everyone, but we can all make small steps to address mental health in our own lives. This Men’s Health Month, I encourage you to reach out to the men in your life and check-in on how they are doing. We’re all under additional stress right now and a welcome, listening ear may be exactly what they need during a difficult time.