Breaking the Bro Code on Mental Health

Content Warning: This post discusses mental health challenges, societal stigmas, and the impact of untreated mental health conditions, including references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988) is available 24/7 for confidential and compassionate help.

Breaking the stigma around men and therapy is something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. As a dad to a two-year-old boy, I’ve come to realize just how important it is to take care of your mental health—not just for yourself, but for the people who depend on you. Growing up, I was taught that men don’t show weakness. You keep your emotions in check, you don’t cry, and you don’t ask for help (unless you’re dying.) But now that I’m a dad and in a long-term relationship, I’ve learned that holding everything in doesn’t make you strong—it makes you crumble slowly from the inside.

For a long time, I didn’t even consider therapy an option. It felt like admitting I’d failed as a man, and now as a father. But the truth is, it takes more strength to face your struggles than to bury them. I’ve learned that therapy isn’t about being broken; it’s about growing. When I look at my son, I don’t want him to grow up thinking he has to carry the same weight in silence that I did. I want him to know it’s okay to feel, to ask for help, and to take care of his mental health.

A lot of men avoid therapy because of the stigma, but ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away. The statistics are heartbreaking—men are far less likely to seek mental health treatment, and it shows in the suicide rates. When I think about that, it scares me because I know how dark it can get. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re drowning and not know how to ask for a lifeline. Therapy has been my way of finding solid ground again, and while it’s not a magic fix, it’s helped me in ways I never expected.

I’m not saying it’s easy, but taking that first step can be life-changing. It doesn’t just make you a better man—it makes you a better partner, a better dad, and a better version of yourself. It’s time to stop pretending we have it all together and start prioritizing what really matters: being healthy, present, and open for the people we love and for ourselves. If not for you, do it for your family. They deserve the best version of you, and so do you.

Personal Message from the Co-Founder

Hey, everyone! You don’t know me, but I wanted to share a bit about my journey with therapy. I waited until my mid-20s to start, even though I had been carrying the weight of multiple close losses, heartbreaks, anger, sadness, confusion, and stress for years. I thought I could handle it all on my own, but looking back, I realize how much I needed help. It wasn’t until I was balancing a long-term relationship and raising a toddler that I finally took the step to go to therapy. Life felt so overwhelming, and I knew I couldn’t be the partner or parent I wanted to be if I didn’t take care of my mental health.

Therapy didn’t fix everything overnight, but it gave me a space to breathe and start unpacking everything I had been holding onto. It taught me that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s actually one of the strongest things you can do. If you’re struggling, whether you’re a new parent like me or just trying to figure out life, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Starting therapy was the first step in becoming a better version of myself for my family and for me, and I can honestly say it’s worth it.