Give equal attention to men’s mental health - Rodriguez

"Ang pag-ila sa imong gibati dili timailhan sa kahuyang, kundili usa ka timaan sa kaisog."

Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez shared this message in a video posted on his official Facebook page as part of his Men's Mental Health Awareness campaign, calling for greater awareness and stronger community support for men's mental health.

The video featured men answering the question of whether they believe men should always be strong. Most respondents answered "yes," citing society's expectation that men remain physically and emotionally resilient as they work to provide for and support their families.

As chairperson of the committee on social services and a mental health advocate, Rodriguez said these responses reflect the long-standing pressure on men to suppress their emotions and silently shoulder life's burdens.

He stressed the need to break the stigma surrounding mental health by fostering a culture where men feel safe expressing their emotions and seeking support when they need it.

The councilor emphasized that while resilience is a valuable quality, it should never come at the expense of one's mental well-being.

He added that mental health is an essential component of overall health and deserves the same attention and care as physical health.

Rodriguez likewise encouraged fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, friends, and all men in the community to prioritize their mental well-being by reaching out to trusted family members, friends, or mental health professionals whenever they feel overwhelmed. (JDO/SP)