40% of men with mental health conditions have never talked to anyone about their struggles, according to a recent study. Despite the societal expectation for men to be strong and independent, many feel embarrassed or fearful of the negative stigma surrounding mental health issues.
To address this issue, Grand Mental Health is launching a new group specifically for men. The group will focus on topics such as fatherhood, marriage, and overall physical and mental well-being. Members will have the opportunity to bring up any issues that are on their minds during the open sessions, which are not limited to current clients of Grand Mental Health. While there will be scheduled topics, most sessions will have a loose structure.
The goal of the group is to create a supportive environment where men can learn to trust each other, grow personally, believe in themselves, and ultimately begin to heal. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 14 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at the Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City, located at 2101 North Ash. Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month, but the May meeting is being held early due to the Pioneer Tech Center graduation ceremony. For more information about the group or how to get involved, contact Jeff Shelton at Grand Mental Health at 918-629-4374.