Why does society limit men’s problems to internalised issues, to be solved by a mere change of male mindset? Do we honestly think tears, talk and de-toxification will somehow solve the systemic problems that shape men’s distress? Will they miraculously fix the epidemic of men’s deteriorating physical and mental health, and are these things really a substitute for the infrastructural change we so desperately need? Let’s be real. Society has opened its eyes and ears to the fact that the health and wellbeing of women is shaped by a complex web of intersected socio economic issues. And yet for men, well, their problems are self inflicted, caused by their own poor choices and shitty attitude, for which they only have themselves to blame. “Be less toxic, cry more, open up a little and men will be just fine!“ We don’t do this for anyone else. When women face a problem, we rightly ask: ‘what can we do to change society?’ But when men face a problem, we only ask: ‘what can men do to change themselves?’ It makes no sense. So let’s take a look at how we advocate for men’s health, both physically and mentally, and see how (despite its good intentions) it often fails to address the root causes of the problem. ~ Dr. Keith Elder Dr. Amy Chandler Brian Drury

2022-09-16