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November is a significant time of the year dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and shedding light on the challenges that nearly everyone faces at some point in their lives, such as the daunting (yet entirely natural) experiences of anxiety and depression. November is not the sole month committed to mental health awareness. However, the term “Movember” was coined to raise awareness on men’s mental health month and advocacy against suicide and health issues. In dedication to the month and its cause, a grassroots initiative called “Mind Matters” has taken it upon itself to make a difference within Grand View University’s community by sharing invaluable insights and knowledge.

If you are a part of the GVU community, you may have heard about the event that took place on November 2. This event was hosted by GVU’s Kinesiology club and the Peer Wellness Advocates leadership team. It featured a diverse lineup of knowledgeable speakers and it left a profound impact with its heart-wrenching stories and eye-opening statistics. As I sat and listened to the speakers, my understanding of men’s mental health grew, and I began to realize the severity of this matter, as did the 50-plus attendees present. Male representation in GVU’s faculty, staff and students at the Mind Matters event proved crucial for breaking the stigma of men’s mental health. 

Throughout the event, many examples and anecdotes were shared, but the story of 19-year-old Kevin Heins deeply resonated with many. Heins survived nearly insurmountable odds when he attempted to take his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in the early 2000s. As he was plummeting, the words he used to describe his thoughts at that moment were “instant regret.” Listening to his story invoked profound contemplation for the audience. The word “compassion” encapsulates the essence of his narrative, underscoring the pivotal role that compassion could have played in altering the course of his actions, had someone been there to offer it.

One segment of the presentation was titled “Be a Man,” presented by GVU psychology professor Dr. Joshua Woods. Woods delved extensively into the concept of toxic masculinity and its hindrance to genuine help. 

Using the metaphor of “armor,” Woods explained that every man wears an “invisible set of armor,” implying that every man must live up to the idea of being strong and fearless. 

“We need to find what that looks like. It’s not like guys need to stop being guys and doing things that guys like to do, even if it’s a little stereotypical. It’s just a matter of what is our method to this,” Woods said.

He primarily emphasized the notion that men should “not be afraid of anything,” citing this as the main reason toxic masculinity obstructs genuine assistance. He stressed that men cannot show vulnerability as they are expected to meet unattainable standards.

Woods argued that men need to embrace vulnerability, as genuine help requires one to express their true emotions, something their armor prevents. Another key point made was the societal pressure on men to conform to stereotypes, such as “you’re not a real man if you don’t know all the NBA teams,” or “you’re not a real man if you need help with directions” and “you’re not a real man if you don’t know how to check your tire pressure.” 

Woods highlighted these examples as unrealistic standards that challenge a man’s identity in trivial ways. Toxic masculinity’s roots run even deeper, as Woods discussed society’s expectations of what a man should be: a “knight in shining armor,” a “warrior, not a gardener” and someone who must be “exceptional and flawless.” While these standards may be impossible to meet, they are prevalent thoughts that occupy the minds of many men when facing the challenges of mental health. Asking a man to seek help for mental health is, in essence, asking him to relinquish these expectations and redefine what it means to be a man. This is why men go about discussing their mental health through ways that may not always be the most productive to converse over mental health matters. Woods describes a more personal occurrence he has noticed about how men open up about their well-being.

“When there are those deep conversations, it’s usually through alcohol … it’s not usually in a positive uplifting, ‘lets go for a walk and talk about your feelings, man,’” Woods said. 

Woods hammered down the point that some men may struggle to open up about mental health. This is not be an isolated incident with few selected men, but rather a great amount of men. 

“We are watching football and talking about the touchdown, we are not talking about like ‘Hey man, how’s you depression?’” Woods said.  

He also spoke briefly on the importance of social connection and the support it brings to the lives of men. 

“Women on average deal with mental health issues more than men, but have far greater social connections,” Woods said. 

This brings up the idea that there are simply not enough avenues for men to lean on and the connections women have is something men should strive for as well. Woods opened up about his own personal experiences on mental health talking about those close to him. He mentions his brother and how he had to actively “break it down” to reach him in that emotional state, more times than not resulting in a breakthrough. 

“I would challenge you to pay attention to your male friendships and relationships. We all have a point where it would be nice to have a friend, it would be nice to have someone to talk to, especially since we are not going to ask for help,” Woods said.

Woods describes that “having open conversations on what it means to be a man and getting some of that toxicity out,” is one method to combat the status quo of men’s mental health. 

The Mind Matters event was enlightening and educational. The 90-minute presentation covered many key aspects of mental health. Professor of Health and Physical Education Dr. Zeb Sullivan discussed the profound connection between physical activity and mental well-being. The primary takeaway was that physical activity can significantly alleviate depressive symptoms, with cardio exercises playing a crucial role. It’s important to note that cardio in the context of moving through physical space, rather than just on a treadmill, is particularly effective in mitigating the symptoms of depression. By moving through space, the mind can process the progress being made in real-time, triggering the release of endorphins that directly counter depression symptoms. 

Blake Willey, a junior at GVU and one of the lead organizers of Mind Matters, has worked tirelessly for the past month and a half to make this event a reality.

“I think that if you, at any point, are struggling or feel like you have suicidal thoughts or ideas, it is important to first reach out to loved ones. Even if it is a little moment, don’t be afraid. It can be intimidating to be vulnerable and have the courage to reach out and say that you are struggling,” Willey said. 

Alongside Peer Wellness, he aspires for this event to shed light on the challenges faced by men, and to highlight how exercise can be a pathway to a healthier life. 

“There are ways to help with depression and help with anxiety through exercise or through medication, but it’s not always something you can solve or get rid of,” Willey said. 

Recognizing the importance of physical activity, the clubs and orgs that came together to organize Mind Matters have also organized an event called the “Walk-Athlon” to spread awareness of men’s mental health. Using the Strava app, organizers will track participants’ mileage for the competition, and yes, there will be prizes. 

Psychology club and Peer Wellness hope to achieve something similar to Mind Matters. A more open-minded and caring place to live where mental health issues are something that can be dealt with together and not something that anyone has to face alone.