Shatter the stigma!

GulfWeekly’s columnist Preety Praveen shares her views on the topic: ‘Stress and anxiety among men and the need for individuals, families and the community to create safe spaces to share their concerns’.

Men are born with a label of being strong, both mentally and physically.

They are expected to carry an aura of support, reliability, and strength. And many times, these tough layers of clichéd assumptions don’t allow them to express their emotions and feelings with the right people at the right time.

It’s not only the social pressure, but men themselves try their best to portray a brawny image to their families and society as well. In this whole process, they never realise when they cross the thin line between being committed and being stressed. Their personal and professional responsibilities overshadow their mental and physical health, which is usually overlooked, deflected, and ignored in a casual manner.

Rephrasing an old saying, I would say, “If women are from Earth, so are men!”

Men should break the stigma of being rough and tough and start expressing themselves. It is the need of the hour and high time that they realise it’s fine to break that shell and pour in their emotions, pain and concerns with their near and dear ones.

But one-way traffic is not going to help. People around them should give them comfort, space and a kind approach to make them feel that their existence matters.

Hidden might be

Cracks of tiredness in those greeting smiles;

Dark clouds of fatigue in the sparkling eyes;

Tremble of exertion in the fresh looks!

Catching up with this fast-paced lifestyle, an urge to earn more, to live the best life, and to be what they want to be, men push themselves beyond their capacity and threshold and pretend to be normal all the time, which is dangerous and scary at the same time.

Men need the same concern, lookout, and attention as the opposite gender does.

It’s fine to be weak, fragile, and emotional. Sharing feelings will help and people around them should address those feelings with concern and sincerity.

Don’t just show your strength but be strong to accept when you are weak and that might help you to sail through any storm.

(Preety Praveen is a psychologist and author.)