June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. I spoke to people who have seen boys and men silently struggle. When people think of depression, they typically think of sadness, specific language, or isolation, but in boys and men, it could look different. 'They may be more irritated. They may show a lot of aggression, a lot of anger, and so forth,' said Dominique Bond, School Counselor. 'So, these are some things that we can look for as well to really that can be some warning signs.' Marci Tankersley lost her brother to suicide. She tells me she never saw signs of him struggling with his mental health. 'The suicide rate in men is way higher than women, and I think that's why because they were never taught to express their emotions,' said Marci Tankersley, Mental Health Advocate. 'So that's the way my brother was raised. That's the way I mean so many men were raised, and my brother committed suicide when he was 21 years old. So, I don't remember him talking about anything. I didn't think he was depressed. But I do know now that he was, and he was silently struggling.' Mental health experts say the stigma that men can't show emotion makes it hard for them to express their feelings. 'Men need to really challenge their understanding of masculinity, and one of our understands of masculinity, which is very outdated, is that we are strong. We got it ourselves; we just got to tough it out, but in reality, we just have to address it,' said Bond. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention aims to raise awareness through its 'Out of the Darkness' Walk in October. If you are struggling with mental health, you can also call the Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8.
'That tragedy and loss affects so many people down the line, The parents, the siblings. I just it can be, we can turn this thing around,' said Tankersley.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Water Quality Advisory Issued for Okaloosa County locations
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has issued a water quality advisory for multiple locations in Fort Walton and Niceville. The following locations did not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria according to a test on June 9th: Liza Jackson Park, 338 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach Emerald Promenade, 933 Whelk Court, Fort Walton Beach Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 Highway 20, Niceville Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals; their presence could be an indication of fecal pollution. More information on the test results can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Navy seeks to test wells in Cumberland County for ‘forever chemicals'
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — The Navy depot in Hampden Township has long used firefighting foam, which contains so called forever chemicals. Now, they will host an open house Monday, June 16, where guests can learn how to test private wells for the chemical. In 2019, the Navy asked homeowners within a mile of its base to test their wells out of concern the foam may have spread beyond its property. Officially known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS chemicals break down very slowly over time. They often appear in the blood of people and animals because of its wide use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Studies show the presence of the chemical is linked to harmful effects in humans and animals, the agency said. What are 'forever chemicals' and should we be concerned about them? Those who attend the open house will have the opportunity to check if they are within the Navy's sampling area, speak with experts and learn more about ongoing efforts to investigate the chemical. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Shore Elks #2257 located at 108 N. Saint Johns Church Road in Camp Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
East Haven teen fought for her life to walk at graduation
EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — An East Haven High School graduate is beating the odds, providing an inspiring story during this graduation season. 'I'm nervous,' East Haven High School Graduate Isabella 'Bella' Chambasis said. Families unite at 'Best Dad by Par' golf event in Hamden 'Don't be nervous, we got this,' her mother, Deann Hurley, told her. 'I had to relearn a lot,' Chambasis said. Back in January 2021, Chambasis was diagnosed with ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, an autoimmune disease which attacked her B-blood cells and small organs. 'So in her case it attacked her kidneys and put her in that renal failure,' Hurley said. It also sent her to the hospital where, just when she thought she was going to get out, she faced a setback. A big one. 'She ended up having the stroke, and then brain bleeds,' Hurley said. Chambasis was in a coma for a month. Some didn't know if she would make it, but once her mom started playing her favorite music, she knew she would. 'She couldn't really speak that well, but just started lip syncing the words. Word for word with emotion and I was like 'She's still there, she's still there!'' Hurley exclaimed. 'We're not giving up!' The long road to recovery began. Chambasis learned to walk again at Gaylord Hospital. 'I had doctors appointments, physical therapy, occupational therapy, plus speech,' Chambasis said. All while trying to catch up on her school work. Chambasis missed her freshman year of high school and had to take online courses at the start of her sophomore year. 'She's just worked so hard to be able to graduate on time with her class,' said Hurley. That day has come. Chambasis, who uses a wheelchair, came to graduation rehearsal at 8 a.m. Thursday morning, determined to walk with her classmates. 'I'm walking across the stage and all I hear in the background is clapping which made me feel really special,' Chambasis said. Just like during rehearsal Thursday morning, Chambasis will use her cane and have her mom by her side. They'll also have her wheelchair behind them. But they say they will not need it. As her mom said at the beginning of this story, 'We got this.' Chambasis said others facing uphill battles should say the same. 'I've learned that you can't be negative about your situation,' Chambasis said. 'You have to be very positive about it. Like I will do this again someday.'Chambasis says she was taught that by her mom. She will celebrate her 18th birthday Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
