Loneliness In A Connected World

Hello from The ABC of Mental Health! We're back this week with a special edition focused on men’s mental health, in honour of June being Men’s Health Month.

In today’s hyper-connected world, emotional isolation remains a silent struggle—especially for men. Societal expectations around masculinity often discourage emotional expression, leaving many to suffer in silence. This edition explores the hidden impact of loneliness, challenges harmful gender norms, and offers practical tools for authentic connection and emotional well-being.

👉 Give a shout-out to the men in your life via WhatsApp—just let them to know you value them. It can mean more than you think. 💬

One relevant recommendation:

How Loneliness Drives Men to Addiction 
This 34-minute video by a licensed U.S. doctor explores how chronic loneliness can lead men toward addiction—and how meaningful connection can be a path to healing. Watch it for insights on emotional pain, vulnerability, and recovery.

Two Quotes on Masculine Vulnerability:

Henry David Thoreau, philosopher & essayist, on how suppressing emotions impacts loneliness:  “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

Justin Baldoni, actor & author of Man Enough, on challenging traditional masculinity: “Being a man is a lonely business – until you learn it doesn’t have to be.”

Three TherapyShorts from TST

1. Embrace Emotional Vulnerability
   Traditional masculinity often equates strength with emotional suppression. Challenging this means normalising vulnerability—talking openly about feelings, fears, and struggles. Expressing emotion is a sign of strength, not weakness, and helps build deeper, more meaningful relationships. You can start small by sharing your feelings with a close friend or family member—say “I’ve been feeling really low lately,” or “I’m overwhelmed and not sure how to cope.”
   

2. Build Supportive Communities
   Men often lack emotionally safe spaces. Creating or joining peer support groups, therapy circles, or interest-based communities where emotional honesty is valued allows for connection beyond surface-level interactions. These spaces promote empathy, listening, and mutual growth. You can take the lead to connect with other men around you by starting a “check-in circle”: Gather a few friends monthly to share how each person is really doing—beyond work or news. Ask questions like “What’s been hard this month?” or “What are you proud of lately?”

3. Redefine Strength and Identity
   Question and unlearn the rigid expectations tied to “being a man”—stoicism, dominance, or self-reliance at all costs. Instead, adopt a holistic view of masculinity that includes compassion, collaboration, and emotional intelligence as core strengths. You can consume diverse media, reading books, watching films, or following creators who challenge toxic masculinity (e.g., bell hooks’ The Will to Change or “Redefining Masculinity and Men's Mental Health" on Apple Podcasts).

A QUESTION?

How are you most likely to show up for the men in your life? 

Vote here!

Last week, we asked you about the hardest part of being strong, and the responses were… (drumroll please)…

Love and light,

The Social Therapist

PS: It’s OK To Be Vulnerable