Turns out that my experience is pretty universal—our emotional health is aggravated by isolation. Most of us don’t know how to manage our mental health, especially guys.
As the founder of Talk With Zach, a Gen Z wellness platform geared towards young men, I’m hyper-aware of how guys around me are thinking and feeling. I find that the most stifling problem with men’s mental health is that we rarely open up. Our motto is “We can’t change what we don’t talk about,” and during men’s mental health month, this is especially crucial.
Sadly, most of us aren’t taught how to manage our emotional health, and existing resources don’t arm college students with the tools we need to be emotionally fluent. We need to learn how to foster everyday support among our peers, creating a network of care.
College Can Be a Hard Place to Ask for Help
Traditional masculinity rejects weakness, making it hard for us to reach out for help or admit we’re having a difficult time. Instead, we strive to appear stoic, calm, and collected at all times, which is not only unrealistic, but detrimental to our well-being.
Growing up, we often hear phrases like “man up” or “boys don’t cry.” Sure, it builds resilience to walk off a fall while playing football, but it becomes problematic when guys do this simply to appear tough. When we’re told we can’t cry, we stunt our emotional maturity, and have a harder time processing these feelings later on.
This attitude is heightened during college, when we’re experiencing the biggest transitional period of our lives–moving from the comfort of our childhood homes into the real world. For the first time, we’re truly independent, and with that comes pressure to act like the stereotypes of men we get from adults and cultural norms.
Care Is Already Happening—We Just Don’t Always Call It That
Guys are quick to avoid appearing overly sentimental, but in reality we are practicing care with each other and sharing emotions more than we think. Whether we’re checking in on someone who’s quieter than usual, listening to a friend vent about a rough day, or hear about a recent breakup, we’re already supporting our peers. So why not do more?
These aren’t just nice gestures–they’re acts of real, meaningful care. We need to start calling them as such. When we normalize these interactions, we create a culture where caring for each other isn’t extraordinary–it’s a basic form of connection.I’ve noticed that many young people don’t know exactly how to act in emotionally vulnerable moments, but the more we have, the more comfortable we’ll feel.
Building a Culture Where Care Feels Normal
Receiving care is equally important as providing it, and often seems quite daunting. Reaching out for help isn’t shameful or weak. In my experience, only the strongest, most secure people I know feel confident enough to do this. Learn to talk about a rough patch you’re going through, say you feel burnt out, or even seek professional services. Some of the most powerful moments I’ve had on Talk With Zach are when guys finally open up.
Luckily, Gen Z is starting to have conversations about wellness. By having deeper conversations, finding power in community, and being a listener, our generation becomes mentally sturdier.
Colleges Role in Helping Students
College campuses have robust mental health resources, but students don’t always find them. By marketing emotional health as regular wellness that everyone deals with rather than serious illness, students will be more willing to take advantage of these services.
I also urge campuses to create forums for dialogue and conversation, where people feel comfortable being themselves and opening up.
As I look ahead to my three remaining years of college and beyond, I know that changing the mental health landscape won’t happen overnight. But I know I don’t have to have it all figured out. By showing up for myself and my peers, simply leading by example is enough to make an impact in my community. That’s what care looks like.
Zach Gottlieb, Founder of Talk With Zach
At Equimundo, our Make Room for Care campaign is shining a light on the critical role care plays in men’s health and wellbeing. It’s time to leave behind the narrow scripts of manhood that keep men silent and sick – and make space for new ways of being: where asking for help is brave, showing emotion is strong, and caring for yourself and others is part of what it means to be a man.
Join us.
Follow and share the #MakeRoomForCare campaign, explore resources, and help us spread the message that care isn’t just part of the solution – it’s the heart of it.
Because when we make room for care, we make room for healthier men, stronger families, and a more connected world.