June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time to further our understanding of men's mental health experiences and promote a culture of openness and support. There is no doubt that existing stigma surrounding mental health, compounded by societal expectations of masculinity, inhibits men from acknowledging their struggles and reaching out for support. As the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr, a text-based mental health support platform, I am deeply passionate about the conversations we need to have about mental health, and I am even more committed to reducing the barriers to mental health care engagement. We must normalize seeking help.
In my life, I’ve held many titles. I am currently the CEO of video streaming pioneer Phenix Real-Time Solutions, the Chairman of international nonprofit Smile Train, and, as mentioned earlier, the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr. Yet, my most important title by far has and always will be that of “Father.”
I am a proud father of five, with three daughters and two sons. Fatherhood brings me immense joy and equally immense responsibility. Reflecting on the work that I do, what truly motivates me is the thought of guiding my children. Knowing that one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness, and one in six U.S. youths experiences a mental health disorder each year, is staggering. When I think about all of the people who struggle, I can't help but imagine how mental health challenges might affect my own children. That, more than anything, pushes me to help improve the mental health landscape.
As I watched my children grow up in a fast-paced digital environment, and particularly with my younger ones, I was amazed at the rate technology and the world at large seemed to be progressing. The environment they navigated was vastly different from the one I grew up in, with constantly evolving digital landscapes and increasing social pressures. As a father, I felt a deep need to protect their feelings and mental health amidst these unprecedented challenges. Luckily, having led various technology start-ups, I had a unique perspective on using tech for good. Leveraging my experience, I set out to ensure that children and adults alike have the tools to cope with the modern stresses they face by creating something akin to an “Uber” for mental health support—a solution perpetually available within minutes via just a few taps.
So, Counslr was born: a text-based mental health support app that provides unlimited access, both on-demand and by appointment, to mental health professionals, 24/7/365, making live help available anytime and anywhere at no direct cost to users of our partnered organizations. By delivering organization sponsored mental health support in a text modality, Counslr removes the biggest obstacles to mental health care—cost, inconvenience, and stigma—thus empowering users to seek help whenever and wherever it is most needed.
With each new school, business, and other organization with whom we partner, we increasingly realize that mental health knows no boundaries and affects people of all ages and walks of life. No one is immune from mental health issues, but many often suffer in silence because mental health support can be costly and convoluted, or because they’ve been taught to believe that it’s something to be handled alone.
To this end, as we recognize Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to note that statistics show men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues, and yet are at a higher risk for certain conditions like suicide. In fact, more than four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, and over six million men suffer from depression—which often goes undiagnosed and thus untreated.
Illustrating this point, Counslr’s partnership with Tri-Star Construction helped shine a light on the fact that, despite its hard-hat wearing and traditionally “masculine” stereotype, the construction industry has a suicide rate more than double the national average among working-age persons in the United States—in 2021, the construction industry saw a suicide rate of 56 per 100,000 for males, resulting in the second-highest rate of all major industries. This emphasizes the need to address the challenges men face when it comes to mental health. Societal expectations of masculinity can make it difficult for men to express their emotions or seek help when they're struggling. By providing accessible, confidential mental health support through text-based services like Counslr, we can help men overcome these barriers and prioritize their well-being.
As I reflect not only on my journey as a father but also on the broader significance of mental health and its role in our society, I understand that fatherhood has provided me with the reason to act beyond my own life and the lives of my loved ones. It has inspired me to create a mission dedicated to better mental health for as many people as possible. Through this journey, I've learned that prioritizing one’s well-being isn't a sign of weakness; it's the foundation for strength. When we are mentally well, we allow ourselves to be more compassionate and more effective in our roles as fathers, brothers, leaders, partners, and friends. By helping other men to prioritize their mental health, we can continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and foster a culture of openness and support. Together, we can create a future where every man feels empowered to seek help, and every father feels equipped to guide their children towards a healthier, happier life.
If you or a loved one is struggling, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help. Here are some resources specifically designed to help support men’s mental health:
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time to further our understanding of men's mental health experiences and promote a culture of openness and support. There is no doubt that existing stigma surrounding mental health, compounded by societal expectations of masculinity, inhibits men from acknowledging their struggles and reaching out for support. As the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr, a text-based mental health support platform, I am deeply passionate about the conversations we need to have about mental health, and I am even more committed to reducing the barriers to mental health care engagement. We must normalize seeking help.
In my life, I’ve held many titles. I am currently the CEO of video streaming pioneer Phenix Real-Time Solutions, the Chairman of international nonprofit Smile Train, and, as mentioned earlier, the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr. Yet, my most important title by far has and always will be that of “Father.”
I am a proud father of five, with three daughters and two sons. Fatherhood brings me immense joy and equally immense responsibility. Reflecting on the work that I do, what truly motivates me is the thought of guiding my children. Knowing that one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness, and one in six U.S. youths experiences a mental health disorder each year, is staggering. When I think about all of the people who struggle, I can't help but imagine how mental health challenges might affect my own children. That, more than anything, pushes me to help improve the mental health landscape.
As I watched my children grow up in a fast-paced digital environment, and particularly with my younger ones, I was amazed at the rate technology and the world at large seemed to be progressing. The environment they navigated was vastly different from the one I grew up in, with constantly evolving digital landscapes and increasing social pressures. As a father, I felt a deep need to protect their feelings and mental health amidst these unprecedented challenges. Luckily, having led various technology start-ups, I had a unique perspective on using tech for good. Leveraging my experience, I set out to ensure that children and adults alike have the tools to cope with the modern stresses they face by creating something akin to an “Uber” for mental health support—a solution perpetually available within minutes via just a few taps.
So, Counslr was born: a text-based mental health support app that provides unlimited access, both on-demand and by appointment, to mental health professionals, 24/7/365, making live help available anytime and anywhere at no direct cost to users of our partnered organizations. By delivering organization sponsored mental health support in a text modality, Counslr removes the biggest obstacles to mental health care—cost, inconvenience, and stigma—thus empowering users to seek help whenever and wherever it is most needed.
With each new school, business, and other organization with whom we partner, we increasingly realize that mental health knows no boundaries and affects people of all ages and walks of life. No one is immune from mental health issues, but many often suffer in silence because mental health support can be costly and convoluted, or because they’ve been taught to believe that it’s something to be handled alone.
To this end, as we recognize Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to note that statistics show men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues, and yet are at a higher risk for certain conditions like suicide. In fact, more than four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, and over six million men suffer from depression—which often goes undiagnosed and thus untreated.
Illustrating this point, Counslr’s partnership with Tri-Star Construction helped shine a light on the fact that, despite its hard-hat wearing and traditionally “masculine” stereotype, the construction industry has a suicide rate more than double the national average among working-age persons in the United States—in 2021, the construction industry saw a suicide rate of 56 per 100,000 for males, resulting in the second-highest rate of all major industries. This emphasizes the need to address the challenges men face when it comes to mental health. Societal expectations of masculinity can make it difficult for men to express their emotions or seek help when they're struggling. By providing accessible, confidential mental health support through text-based services like Counslr, we can help men overcome these barriers and prioritize their well-being.
As I reflect not only on my journey as a father but also on the broader significance of mental health and its role in our society, I understand that fatherhood has provided me with the reason to act beyond my own life and the lives of my loved ones. It has inspired me to create a mission dedicated to better mental health for as many people as possible. Through this journey, I've learned that prioritizing one’s well-being isn't a sign of weakness; it's the foundation for strength. When we are mentally well, we allow ourselves to be more compassionate and more effective in our roles as fathers, brothers, leaders, partners, and friends. By helping other men to prioritize their mental health, we can continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and foster a culture of openness and support. Together, we can create a future where every man feels empowered to seek help, and every father feels equipped to guide their children towards a healthier, happier life.
If you or a loved one is struggling, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help. Here are some resources specifically designed to help support men’s mental health:
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
Men in Mental Health: One Father’s Idea to Modernize Mental Health Support
June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time to further our understanding of men's mental health experiences and promote a culture of openness and support. There is no doubt that existing stigma surrounding mental health, compounded by societal expectations of masculinity, inhibits men from acknowledging their struggles and reaching out for support. As the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr, a text-based mental health support platform, I am deeply passionate about the conversations we need to have about mental health, and I am even more committed to reducing the barriers to mental health care engagement. We must normalize seeking help.
In my life, I’ve held many titles. I am currently the CEO of video streaming pioneer Phenix Real-Time Solutions, the Chairman of international nonprofit Smile Train, and, as mentioned earlier, the Co-Founder and Chairman of Counslr. Yet, my most important title by far has and always will be that of “Father.”
I am a proud father of five, with three daughters and two sons. Fatherhood brings me immense joy and equally immense responsibility. Reflecting on the work that I do, what truly motivates me is the thought of guiding my children. Knowing that one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness, and one in six U.S. youths experiences a mental health disorder each year, is staggering. When I think about all of the people who struggle, I can't help but imagine how mental health challenges might affect my own children. That, more than anything, pushes me to help improve the mental health landscape.
As I watched my children grow up in a fast-paced digital environment, and particularly with my younger ones, I was amazed at the rate technology and the world at large seemed to be progressing. The environment they navigated was vastly different from the one I grew up in, with constantly evolving digital landscapes and increasing social pressures. As a father, I felt a deep need to protect their feelings and mental health amidst these unprecedented challenges. Luckily, having led various technology start-ups, I had a unique perspective on using tech for good. Leveraging my experience, I set out to ensure that children and adults alike have the tools to cope with the modern stresses they face by creating something akin to an “Uber” for mental health support—a solution perpetually available within minutes via just a few taps.
So, Counslr was born: a text-based mental health support app that provides unlimited access, both on-demand and by appointment, to mental health professionals, 24/7/365, making live help available anytime and anywhere at no direct cost to users of our partnered organizations. By delivering organization sponsored mental health support in a text modality, Counslr removes the biggest obstacles to mental health care—cost, inconvenience, and stigma—thus empowering users to seek help whenever and wherever it is most needed.
With each new school, business, and other organization with whom we partner, we increasingly realize that mental health knows no boundaries and affects people of all ages and walks of life. No one is immune from mental health issues, but many often suffer in silence because mental health support can be costly and convoluted, or because they’ve been taught to believe that it’s something to be handled alone.
To this end, as we recognize Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to note that statistics show men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues, and yet are at a higher risk for certain conditions like suicide. In fact, more than four times as many men as women die by suicide in the United States, and over six million men suffer from depression—which often goes undiagnosed and thus untreated.
Illustrating this point, Counslr’s partnership with Tri-Star Construction helped shine a light on the fact that, despite its hard-hat wearing and traditionally “masculine” stereotype, the construction industry has a suicide rate more than double the national average among working-age persons in the United States—in 2021, the construction industry saw a suicide rate of 56 per 100,000 for males, resulting in the second-highest rate of all major industries. This emphasizes the need to address the challenges men face when it comes to mental health. Societal expectations of masculinity can make it difficult for men to express their emotions or seek help when they're struggling. By providing accessible, confidential mental health support through text-based services like Counslr, we can help men overcome these barriers and prioritize their well-being.
As I reflect not only on my journey as a father but also on the broader significance of mental health and its role in our society, I understand that fatherhood has provided me with the reason to act beyond my own life and the lives of my loved ones. It has inspired me to create a mission dedicated to better mental health for as many people as possible. Through this journey, I've learned that prioritizing one’s well-being isn't a sign of weakness; it's the foundation for strength. When we are mentally well, we allow ourselves to be more compassionate and more effective in our roles as fathers, brothers, leaders, partners, and friends. By helping other men to prioritize their mental health, we can continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and foster a culture of openness and support. Together, we can create a future where every man feels empowered to seek help, and every father feels equipped to guide their children towards a healthier, happier life.
If you or a loved one is struggling, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help. Here are some resources specifically designed to help support men’s mental health:
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.
