06/06/2025
“KALALAKI MONG TAO...”
Iyan ang madalas na maririnig kapag ang isang lalaki ay nagpapakita ng emosyon o humihingi ng tulong.
Sa kulturang Filipino, madalas inaasahang maging matatag at “lalaki sa lahat ng bagay” ang kalalakihan. Maraming lalaki ang pinipiling manahimik kahit nahihirapan. Bakit? Dahil sa pressure na dapat “matibay,” “walang iyakan,” at “kayang-kaya ang lahat.” Pero sa totoo lang, kahit gaano kalaki o katibay ang katawan, kapag utak at puso ang napagod, kailangan din ng pahinga, ng kausap, ng masasandalan.
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a movement that began in the United States but has slowly been recognized across the globe. It’s more than just a campaign; it’s a reminder.
A reminder that men, too, struggle. That behind the silence, strength, and smiles, there can be battles no one else sees. And for so long, society has taught men to “man up,” suppress emotions, and carry the weight alone.
This month calls on us to break that stigma. To open conversations. To normalize seeking help. Because mental health isn’t a weakness, it’s a part of being human.
References:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Men’s Health Month.” https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mens-health-month/
Illinois Department of Central Management Services. (2024). June 2024: Men’s Health Awareness Month. State of Illinois. https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee/bewell/awarenessmatters/june2024-mens-health-awareness.html
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