David HoggVerified account

I think guys need to talk about our feelings and mental health way more in an open and honest environment. Where conversations are had between us rather than at us. I’m tired of my mental health— as a guy being a talking point and not actually being addressed with other guys.

I would much rather have some of my friends talk to me about their feelings, anxiety or depression then to find them dead one day.

In my opinion part of the problem is that media only talks about mental health after someone— typically a male commits a mass shooting. When in reality people that are mentally are significantly more likely to be the victims of gun violence including gun suicide.

I also think the stereotype that girlfriends/wives/partners are expected to help bare the weight of mental health issues is wrong and destructive bc it doesn’t help the guys navigate/address there own mental health if they’re just pushing it off on someone else.

I think some of the hardest times for people is not when they are around others it’s when there alone/board left alone with there thoughts and feelings with nothing left to distract them. Those are the hard times because it requires you to face those issues.

I know from experience both before and after 2/14 that for me those are the hardest times and often when I have had suicidal thoughts which luckily I’ve been able to get help with.

However I never would have opened up about my mental health without extremely supportive/loving friends.