NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION

At this level, it’s tempting to prescribe one-size-fits-all options on how we will help males to enhance their relationships and consequently, enhance their help networks.

However, it’s close to unattainable to foretell the wants of any explicit particular person. The finest solution to strategy anybody can be to first perceive their world view earlier than collaboratively working with them to design options distinctive to them.

What this implies is that extra protected areas for males to be authentically and unabashedly themselves are needed. For instance, male conversations teams can facilitate discussions on delicate subjects reminiscent of ideas of masculinity and sexuality. These locations must be ideologically and politically impartial however permit significant conversations round delicate subjects.

Furthermore, on condition that males are likely to kind friendships by way of shared targets, initiatives that intention to assist males foster higher relationships might be much less dialogue-focused and extra action-oriented.

Besides broader top-down efforts, particular person stage effort from males can be important for them to foster increased high quality relationships. For instance, participating in actions that don’t overtly profit them – by way of curiosity and volunteer teams, for example – might be a solution to meet new folks in a extra impartial setting.

Furthermore, males must be kinder and extra compassionate with themselves, to recognise after they want help and learn to be extra open to looking for it. Doing so requires an intentional effort to let go of no matter holds them again from reaching out.

For me, it was extreme burnout that pressured me to rethink my capability for juggling a number of duties, one thing I as soon as was happy with. Since then, I let go of this level of delight for me and intentionally diminished the duties I’d tackle, in order to by no means over-extend myself.

Lastly, any strategy wants to fulfill males the place they’re whereas permitting them the time and house to maneuver ahead at a tempo they really feel comfy with. Forcing or pushing folks in direction of a specific vacation spot with out enough consideration of their readiness for change could also be detrimental in the long run.

Trying to shift the character of males’s social relationships won’t happen rapidly. Still, each small step we are able to take whereas being conscious of prevailing norms, preferences and views, will probably be one step nearer to a world the place males can really feel extra supported by the folks round them.

Dr Jonathan Kuek is a psychological well being researcher and co-founder of Total Wellness Initiative Singapore, a prevention-oriented well being and wellness social enterprise that goals to encourage folks to be extra proactive with their well-being.