SHERIDAN — With the month of June designated as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Richard Burton, vice president of correctional and residential services for Volunteers of America, believes it’s important that individuals don’t feel embarrassed when talking about their mental health and to break down the stigma that can cause men to suppress their feelings and be afraid to be vulnerable.
“I think the biggest reason why a lot of people don’t want to ask for help is because there’s a stigma attached to it,” Barton says. “Men are less likely to come forward than women due to concerns about social judgement and obvious biases, so I think it’s essential that we break down barriers and nurture and support men.”
In Wyoming, about 20 percent of residents have adverse childhood experiences that have a significant impact on their overall behavioral health, Barton said. Wyoming residents have slightly higher than average rates of serious mental illness, with 5.4 percent of adults in the state suffering from a serious mental illness, compared to the national average of 4.8 percent, Barton said.
Barton believes that to end the stigma around men’s mental health, people need to ask the tough questions.
“You just have to have empathy and compassion, just ask questions and let them know you’re there and ready to help,” he said.
While men may be less likely to talk openly about mental health issues, friends and family can pick up on signs that a man is struggling, such as isolating himself, withdrawing from activities he normally enjoys or having trouble expressing his feelings, Barton said.
If you notice these signs in a loved one, it’s important to take the next step and discuss their distress.
Ryan Wilson, VOA’s senior director of public affairs, believes empathy goes a long way in conversations about men’s mental health.
“I think it’s a good conversation starter when it comes to men’s mental health. It’s a big issue that doesn’t get talked about much, but you never know if the person standing next to you is on the same page or struggling with the same thing. Sometimes just a conversation can break down that barrier and bridge the gap between two people who are struggling,” Wilson said.
After having that difficult conversation, the next big step is helping the person find the resources they need and keeping the situation confidential, Barton said.
There are resources for people struggling with mental health in the Sheridan area. VOA offers a variety of mental health services for both men and women. VOA’s residential services are dual diagnosis and not only treat substance abuse but also help with the mental health component. The organization also allows people to seek support through peer support.
VOA’s goal is to ensure there is no stigma attached to people seeking help.
“I think that’s the key part, getting support and helping people and customers get what they need. We don’t make any judgments. It doesn’t matter if they’re male or female, what their situation is, we’re there to support them and help them,” Barton said.
Burton believes it’s important to start conversations with young people about the importance of mental health, so that they can be educated and have the words to express their mental distress.
“Let’s start by helping them and working in that direction, so they know they can talk about it and that things are going to get harder and harder throughout their life but they can put words to it, they can give it a name and they can know it’s depression or whatever the thought is,” he said.
Ultimately, Barton said the best way to raise awareness about men’s mental health is to simply keep the conversation going and spread the information.
“I think there needs to be more publicity and more clarity around, ‘Here’s what this month is about, here’s what we’re aiming for.’ I think spreading the word is important to support men with mental health issues to get help,” he said.
