09/04/2025
**September is Su***de Awareness & Prevention Month** 💜🩵
This month is a powerful reminder that mental health matters—and that each life is worth fighting for, including your own.
Sometimes, the signs of distress aren’t always loud. They can be subtle, hidden behind smiles, busy schedules, or "I'm fine." It's important to take time to check in—not just with others, but with *yourself*.
🧠 **Recognizing signs of distress within ourselves** is a vital first step. Feeling emotionally exhausted, detached, overwhelmed, or persistently hopeless are not just "bad days"—they're signals that you may need rest, support, and healing.
✨ Remember: **self-care is essential, not selfish.** You can't pour from an empty cup. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is pause, breathe, and give yourself permission to *just be*.
Here are a few simple coping skills that can help when you're feeling overwhelmed:
🌬️ **Breathing exercises** – Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4, exhaling for 4, and pausing for 4 (box breathing). This helps calm your nervous system.
🧍♂️ **Grounding techniques** – Use your senses to reconnect with the present moment. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
🖋️ **Journaling** – Getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper can help you make sense of what you're feeling.
📱 **Reach out** – Talking to someone can make a world of difference. **Asking for help is not a handout—it’s a hand up.** Whether it’s a trusted friend, therapist, or support hotline, you are never alone in this.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You matter. Your story matters. And there is hope, even on the darkest days.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. There are resources. There is help. There is healing. 💚
Visit http://mantherapy.org to view more Manly Mental Health tips from Man Therapy's very own male therapist, Dr. Rich Mahogany. In Episode 1, Dr. Rich Mahog...
