The Power of Community: How Men’s Groups Make a Difference

Millie Fuller is a budding freelance copywriter who is building up her portfolio and writing website articles for hands-on experience. Mankind is happy to share a post she has written.

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health has lessened, yet they continue to struggle with it.

Traditional society so often guides men towards stoicism and self-reliance. Unfortunately, this is often taken too far, leaving men isolated.

Men need to feel part of something bigger, and have a place where they can freely express themselves.

This brings us to men’s support groups. How do they benefit the men of today’s world?

Gender-Specific Support

Many experiences are unique to men, from male-dominated illness to society’s expectations of what it is to be a man. Thus, men-only groups are necessary.

Apart from building a community, men’s group often centre on the idea of masculinity and reshaping societal expectations of men. The types of activities that members take part in can include anything from open discussion to team games.

This gives men an environment to be themselves and form friendships, making them a successful venture.

Benefitting Mental Health

At their core, support groups are a place where men can gather. But they’re more than that. A group with a common goal brings together those with common experiences. Having a common experience means it can be shared, and worked through together. The person becomes part of the group, which becomes part of the community.

The spirit of a community is togetherness – the antithesis of isolation. Being part of a community can improve mental health by giving a support system, coping skills and a brighter outlook.

By its very nature, being part of a group means you’re not alone. So often, people feel isolated. But a community of others that know your struggle and can help you with it is invaluable.

Supportive Settings

Due to the expectation placed on men of being stoic, they often have difficulty expressing their feelings and putting their experiences into words. To do so can be seen as weak. Especially in front of other men.

They need a safe space to being to feel comfortable opening up, and this is what men’s support groups provide – a place to have their feelings heard. Through this opening up, men are more likely to gain from it and grow.

Community and Personal Growth

So many men nowadays are isolated and (let’s face it) lonely. How much of this is due to the inability to emotionally express themselves? Withholding or suppressing ourselves means that our conversations stay at the shallow end. It makes meaningful conversation, and thus, meaningful connections hard to make. It makes sense then that this would lead to and perpetuate isolation.

We’ve seen the consequences of male isolation – a rising suicide rate can attest to that. Given this, men’s support groups are essential to give men healthy ways to express themselves.

Once they learn that there’s nothing wrong, and no consequence, to being open with their feelings, they can form their own opinion of themselves outside of societal expectations of masculinity. Furthermore, their newfound introspection means they’re able to seek other support and continue the cycle of healing.

A Call to Arms

There’s no shame in admitting ‘weakness’. Hell, life is hard. Let’s not pretend otherwise, male or not.

Mankind is a safe place for men to share how they are feeling without judgement.  They advocate for, and support those who are struggling with their emotional health.

There’s nothing to be gained by suffering in silence and everything to be gained from reaching out.

Please do join them if you want to talk or just listen to other like-minded men.

Millie Fuller

Creative copywriter