Following my events, it used to always be women who approached me. The men, meanwhile, would typically be standing off in the distance observing these conversations from a safe distance away.
For many of those men who did approach me, more often than not, they would stand in complete silence with their gaze resting on their feet. Then, with a tear running down their cheek, many would say, “I’m sorry. I just can’t talk about this.” And, with that, they would turn and vanish.
While I knew a seed was planted, my heart hurt. I knew that feeling too well.
Over the past few months, I can proudly say that this is no longer a common theme.
Men are at the front of those lines, and they are eager to share both their challenges and victories.
The culture IS changing.
Men DO talk about mental health.
I am seeing the walls slowly come down in our workplaces, homes, and society as a whole.
Thank you to each and every one of you who is helping to create this change.