Masculinity mental health reading list

Here are some recommended readings that delve into the themes of modern masculinity, mental health, and the interplay between gender roles and psychological well-being:

Books

"Masculinities" by R.W. Connell

This foundational text explores the concept of multiple masculinities and how they influence social dynamics and individual behavior.

"The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love" by bell hooks

A critical examination of how traditional masculinity harms men and society, and a call for a new understanding of masculinity that embraces emotional openness.

"Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men" by Michael Kimmel

This book investigates the culture of young men in America, exploring the pressures they face and the impact of societal expectations on their mental health.

"Men's Health: A Guide to the Issues" by Courtenay W. H.

A comprehensive overview of the key determinants of men's health, including the influence of gender roles and societal expectations.

"The Mask of Masculinity" by Lewis Howes

Howes discusses the masks men wear to protect themselves and how these masks can hinder emotional expression and mental health.

Articles and Journals

"Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: A theory of gender and health" by Courtenay W. H.

This article discusses how traditional constructions of masculinity impact men's health behaviors and mental well-being.

"Men's help-seeking for mental health: A review of the literature" by Oliffe, Kelly, Bottorff, Johnson, & Wong

A literature review that examines men's help-seeking behaviors and the barriers they face in accessing mental health services.

"Gender and mental health: A review of the literature" by Iwamoto D. K., Liao L., Liu W. M.

This article reviews the gender differences in mental health issues and the implications for treatment and support.

"The role of social support in men's mental health" by Fiori K. L., Denckla C. A.

An exploration of how social support networks impact mental health outcomes for men.

Online Resources

Men's Health Network (MHN) - https://menshealthnetwork.org/

A nonprofit organization that provides resources and information on men's health issues, including mental health.

The Good Men Project - https://goodmenproject.com/

An online platform that discusses modern masculinity, featuring articles and personal stories about men's experiences and challenges.

American Psychological Association (APA) - Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men - https://www.apa.org/about/policy/boys-men-practice-guidelines.pdf

A comprehensive set of guidelines that address the unique psychological needs of boys and men, promoting a better understanding of masculinity in mental health contexts.

how I show up

Who I am is how I show up

Success in both our personal and professional lives is largely dependent on our ability to grow self-awareness. Leadership is no different. How we show up as leaders is heavily influenced by who we are as people. If we can learn to better understand ourselves, we can become more effective leaders. After all, self-awareness is the key to success.

Defining self-awareness and how it's the key to success

Self-awareness is the awareness of our values and biases that we have within ourselves, as well as knowing our strengths and lived experiences. It is an appreciation of the impact that these values and perspectives have on our lives and the people around us. Having self-awareness leads us to become more organized, set better goals, prioritize effectively, and overall put us in a better position to achieve personal and professional success. In other words, it's essential to understanding who we are as individuals if we want to reach our fullest potential!

The benefits of being self-aware

Being self-aware can be beneficial in more ways than one. By understanding our goals, strengths, and weaknesses, we can foster collaboration with others and better navigate everyday encounters. Self-awareness also helps us develop ethical decision making skills and intercultural capacity. Relying on intuition alone will not enable us to reach our goals; however, actively investing in self-awareness growth can open many doors – both professionally and personally – that would otherwise remain closed!

How to become more self-aware

Becoming more self-aware can be challenging, but it is the essential first step to unlocking personal and professional success. We all have conflict in our lives; whether it be conflict with ourselves or with others, conflict gives us an opportunity to pause and reassess our beliefs, values and perceptions. It also reveals how we communicate and react during moments of stress. By studying yourself during conflict, you become more aware of your emotions and how they shape your behaviour, paving the way for personal growth and increased self-awareness. So the next time conflict arises, remember that this is a chance for you to create meaningful change in your life if you are willing to take the time to analyze what's happening beneath the surface.

The importance of monitoring your thoughts and emotions

With every thought and emotion we experience, patterns begin to form. Our patterns help shape our journey through life, so it's essential to monitor what patterns are forming in order to make choices that will lead to positive growth. This is especially true when it comes to self-awareness- paying attention to what’s going on inside can help us find more sources of kindness for ourselves and others. Embracing this type of self-awareness growth is not only a key to personal success but professional success as well, so be sure to stay aware of patterns and make the choice that fuels progress!

Why you should take time for yourself

Taking time for yourself can feel like a tough ask. It's so easy to get swept up in life and the 'to-do' list that mental health and joy often become an afterthought. Unfortunately, this isn't a good look when it comes to personal or professional success - neglecting mental health leads to increased stress, reduced confidence and impaired decision-making capabilities, none of which are desirable qualities. Investing in self-awareness growth is the key to a better mental state, as it encourages you to take pause, breathe and reflect on the positive elements in your life - all of which are necessary for creating change, breaking patterns and achieving long-term success. So, next time you're running around like a headless chicken trying desperately to keep up with everything going on around you - take some time for yourself; devote that same energy into taking care of your mental wellbeing instead, because we all know that far too often it takes a backseat.

Tips for increasing your self-awareness

Self-awareness is the key to success in life, yet so many of us struggle with developing it. Fortunately, there are simple tips and tricks that can help you gain more identity knowledge and better understand your goals, values and inner power. First, start by taking regular time for reflection - let yourself simply be in moments of clarity and observe your thoughts as they pass by. As silly as this may sound, try to treat yourself like an outsider: act like a curious observer rather than a person judging yourself. By reframing how you look at situations, you’ll gain insight on identity dynamics as well as a wellspring of self-knowledge that is incredibly important for personal and professional growth.

In conclusion, self-awareness is the key to personal and professional success. Not only does it keep our emotions and thoughts in check, but it also has so many great benefits; from improving relationships with ourselves and others to taking control of our lives. Becoming more self-aware isn't easy, but there are certainly ways to start increasing our ability; from monitoring our thoughts and emotions, to taking time for ourselves out of every day. Now that you know how important self-awareness can be for achieving both your personal and professional goals, perhaps you'll challenge yourself to implement some tips for increasing it in the next 90 days? After all – life's too short not to make sure we reach our fullest potential!