There are many reasons why a person may seek therapy or counseling for their mental health. These include anxiety or excessive worry, feelings of depression, loss of a sense of self, increased substance use, and many others. While these issues are common and can be diagnosed and treated easily by a licensed therapist, many men suffer in silence and never receive the help they need. 

Men tend not to seek mental health services for many reasons, but one of the biggest factors contributing to this lapse in care is stigma. As Americans, we have grown up in a society that encourages us to be self-sufficient, resilient, and “strong.” Unfortunately, it also tells us that showing emotion is “weak” and leads us to believe that asking for help is a sign of deficiency or inadequacy as a man. 

The sad truth is that due to these beliefs, men tend to suffer from increased rates of depression, suicide, self-harm, substance use, and addiction. Don’t believe me? In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data showing that men have the highest rates of death by suicide in the country. Even more startling is that this rate has been increasing over the past decade and is currently the highest we have ever seen!

Why Don’t More Men Go to Therapy? 

Due to stigma and cultural beliefs, many men have not felt comfortable utilizing mental health services. In conjunction with this, mental health services were not generally geared towards treating men. Today, not only are we seeing a reduction in the stigma around men’s mental health, but more and more therapy practices are opening their doors to men in need. Many therapists and counselors even specialize in working with men. 

This is where CLT comes in. Our mission is the reduce stigma for men seeking support and usher in a new era of masculinity where asking for help is seen as courageous and strong. I like the call this neo-masculinity. By working together, we can reverse the historical trends of men lacking care and build a future generation of better fathers, brothers, husbands, and leaders. 

How to Find Therapy for Men

Many therapy practices and providers specialize in working directly with men. Colorado Life Therapy is one of those practices. The best way to find a therapist is to book a free consultation with one of our providers. Regardless of who you choose to see, it is important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. The single largest indicator of a positive therapeutic experience is a trusting and safe relationship with your provider. It is okay to shop around and find someone who feels like a good fit. We are more invested in getting men connected with quality care than selling you services. If it’s not us, we are happy to refer you to someone who may be a better fit! 

How Do I Know I Need Therapy? 

There is a common belief that therapy is reserved for people who really “need” it. But how does a person know they “need” therapy? This is such a common question and I wish I could have this conversation with more people. Therapy is for EVERYONE. Seriously, don’t know that I have ever met a person who could not benefit from an honest, open, trusting conversation with a licensed professional about their mental health. Not everyone who goes to therapy has a specific mental health disorder or has experienced significant trauma in their lives. Keep in mind that PTSD was not even a diagnosis in the DSM until 1980! Actually, since that time, mental health counseling has only increased in popularity. That does not mean that people in the past weren’t experiencing mental health issues, it just means that they were reported at a significantly decreased rate. 

Have you ever found yourself worried about the future, or ruminating over the past? These are both common symptoms of anxiety and can be treated with talk therapy. Ever felt that no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get yourself motivated to work or even get out of bed some days? This is super common in clients experiencing even mild depression; they can also be treated with talk therapy. Do you wonder how much alcohol is too much, or if that online shopping habit has gone too far? These are both great examples of questions to bring to therapy. An experienced therapist can help answer your questions, work to resolve your worries and find answers to build the life you dream of. 

How to Get Started Working on Your Mental Health

Not sure you are ready to book a consultation or intake session? No worries! There are many resources and tools online to help you begin this journey. Our blog is designed to help you navigate your way to improving your mental health. Check out our free 30-day journaling guide or read more about how to tell the difference between an addiction and a habit here. 

Remember that we are always here to answer questions and help guide you in the right direction. If you’d like to speak with a therapist about booking a session or simply have questions on how to get started, you can always call or text us and a licensed therapist will get back to you within 24 hours.