Mental Health in Men: Redefining Strength and Vulnerability
— By Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC
Being strong doesn’t mean staying silent.
For generations, men have been taught to be tough — to suppress emotion, “man up,” and push through pain. Vulnerability was seen as weakness, and asking for help was something many men were never taught how to do.
But the truth is, silence can be deadly. Men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health care, yet they are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide¹.
We need a new definition of masculinity — one that includes emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a willingness to heal.
“I Just Feel… Indifferent.” That’s Not Normal.
When asked about mental health, many men say things like:
“I don’t really feel anything.”
“I’m just numb.”
“I don’t think it affects me.”
“I’m fine.”
But here’s the truth: indifference isn’t strength — it’s a symptom.
That lack of emotion, that flatness, that emotional blunting — it’s a sign that your brain’s emotional regulation system may be overwhelmed, misfiring, or shutting down altogether.
You were made to feel.
You were created to connect.
And if you’ve stopped experiencing the full range of human emotion, it’s not because you’re fine — it’s because your brain is asking for help.
If Your Leg Was Broken, You’d Go to the Doctor
Men will rush to the ER for a broken arm, a torn ligament, or chest pain — because they can see it, point to it, and explain it.
But mental health injuries don’t show up on an X-ray.
They’re invisible.
And because we can’t “see” a misfiring prefrontal cortex or an overstimulated amygdala, we pretend it’s not there.
That’s where Objective Psychiatry comes in.
Finally — a Way to See What’s Going On in Your Brain
At Alleviant, we don’t just listen to symptoms — we measure brain function directly using spectral EEG (sEEG). This 4-minute scan allows us to map brainwave activity across 19 regions, helping us:
Identify overactive or underactive brain areas
Understand why symptoms like irritability, exhaustion, or disconnection may be happening
Create a personalized plan to restore clarity, focus, and emotional balance
With this objective data, we build a tailored NeuroSync™ treatment plan to help bring your brain back into alignment.
What Does NeuroSync™ Include?
Your plan may include:
Spectral EEG brain mapping
Personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, based on your sEEG
Talk therapy to work through stress, trauma, or life transitions
Health coaching for sleep, nutrition, toxic exposures, and energy regulation
Safe, personalized medication options, if needed
Ongoing progress tracking, so you know how you’re improving
It’s not just treatment — it’s training for your brain.
This Is What Real Strength Looks Like
Strength is knowing when to ask for help.
Strength is facing the things you’ve spent years avoiding.
Strength is choosing healing — not hiding.
Strength is teaching the next generation that feelings are human, not weak.
You Were Made for More Than Survival
If you feel like you’ve lost your spark — or never knew how to express it in the first place — we’re here for you.
You don’t have to become someone else.
You just have to become yourself, restored.
Reference
¹ National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Suicide Data & Statistics, 2023.