Shining Light on Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Awareness”

In 2017, I lost my son, Marco, to suicide. A bright light, a deep thinker, a soul who carried more than he ever shared. His passing shook the foundation of my life and forced me to confront the harsh reality too many families face: men are suffering in silence.

This blog is written not just in memory of Marco, but for every man who feels he must battle his demons alone—and for every loved one who may not know he’s struggling until it's too late.

1. The Hidden Crisis: Men and Suicide

Men are statistically more likely to die by suicide, not because they experience more mental health challenges, but because they’re less likely to seek help. Cultural expectations of masculinity often lead men to:

• Bury their emotions

• Avoid therapy

• Use substances to cope

• Downplay or ignore emotional pain

And in this silence, hopelessness grows.

2. The Signs Aren’t Always Obvious

As with Marco and many others, suicide doesn’t always come with clear warning signs. But some signals to look for include:

• Talking about being a burden or not belonging

• Withdrawing from loved ones or activities

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Sudden calmness after a period of depression (a possible sign of a final decision)

• Saying goodbye in subtle or symbolic ways

3. What You Can Do As a Friend, Partner, or Parent

It’s not about having the right words—it’s about being present:

• Check in often, even when he says, “I’m fine.”

• Ask twice. When someone says, “I’m okay,” gently ask again: “Are you really okay?”

• Remove shame from the conversation. Let him know vulnerability is strength, not weakness.

• Encourage professional support—and offer to help find it.

• Stay connected. Isolation is dangerous ground.

4. Honoring Marco: A Call to Action

Marco’s memory lives on in every word I write and every moment I advocate for emotional healing. His spirit reminds us:

• That emotional pain is not a weakness.

• That we must teach our sons, brothers, and fathers that it’s okay to cry.

• That mental health is health, and we must treat it with urgency and care.

If you are reading this and you are struggling: You matter. You are not a burden. You are not alone.

5. Resources That Can HelpIf you or someone you love is in crisis:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call or text 988

• Text “HELLO” to 741741 – free, confidential support

• Therapy for Black Men (therapyforblackmen.org)

• Man Therapy (mantherapy.org) – mental health resources with a masculine edge

Closing:For Marco. For every man who thought the world would be better without him—know that your presence, your pain, and your healing matter. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s make space for men to live, cry, fall apart, ask for help, and rise again—with the support of those who love them. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s make space for men to live, cry, fall apart, ask for help, and rise again—with the support of those who love them.