**Trigger Warning: This article covers sensitive topics such as self-harm and mental health; Viewer discretion is advised.
On January 3, 2025, American screenwriter and film director, Jeff Baena tragically passed away by taking his own life in his own home in Los Angeles California. Taking a tragic death into account, it’s important to also acknowledge the countless number of men who are struggling emotionally or mentally in this modern world.
Mental health is the state of one’s mental being, making it one of the most important factors in balancing a healthy lifestyle. It is a very broad subject with solutions for everyone, whether they prefer to stay indoors or go outside, there are many ways to take care of oneself.
More introverted people can begin to meditate and find peace in their silence. On the other hand, extroverted people can exercise to help them feel better after a long week. With mental health only gaining more traction thanks to social media, it’s not a surprise to see how many people care for their well-being.
“Mental health is essential to me, It means the difference between living a quality life and feeling disconnected and miserable,” Andrea Pedroarias—Mt SAC Early College Academy (MECA) English teacher—goes on to say.
She understands the importance of mental health not only within herself but of others too. In her classes, Pedroarias makes sure to make students feel heard and cared about in each class.
“Some habits that I believe can be utilized to build mental health include being part of a community, volunteering, or giving back in some way,” she explained, “but [they] should also include more solitary activities such as working out by yourself, reading, going on walks by yourself, and doing some kind of art, like painting, drawing, or simply crafting. These activities can all help balance the complicated mind.”
However, while mental health is important, one thing that is overlooked is men’s mental health. For the longest time, male stereotypes have been impacting the mental health of men, making them unable to truly express themselves or forcing them to become someone they aren’t. These two experiences can lead to a feeling of less control in your life which impacts your not just mental health but your physical health as well.
There are still cases of society pushing the male stereotype of being “tough” by not showing emotions or limiting certain activities that are perceived to be “not man-like.” Following this with a combination of having no one to talk to or being afraid to speak up leads to negative health effects and even death.
“I think sometimes men struggle to ask for help or let people know that they are struggling because they don’t wanna feel weak or appear weak,” says Jasmine DeHaro, mental health counselor.
Deharo goes into depth about one of men’s main struggles, feeling that emotion is even a struggle, let alone reaching out for help. Collectively, MECA staff highlight the importance of mental health all around and how important it is to maintain mental stability to maintain the integrity we have as people.
