Did you know that June is Men’s Health month? Across the country, a quiet crisis continues to grow: men’s mental health. While awareness has improved in recent years, many men still struggle in silence, shaped by cultural expectations that discourage vulnerability.
Mental health professionals note that many men were raised to suppress their emotions therefore they are less likely to seek help for depression or anxiety. This silence can be dangerous when it prevents people from getting support and often leads to expressing distress through anger, substance use, or withdrawal.
The statistics are sobering. Men experience higher rates of suicide than women, and in many Native American communities, those rates are even more severe. Native American men face disproportionate mental health challenges tied to generations of colonization, forced relocation, and cultural loss. These historical experiences – often referred to as intergenerational trauma – continue to impact mental well-being today.
Cultural identity plays a critical role in both the challenge and the solution. For some Native men, disconnect from traditional practices and community structures can increase feelings of isolation. At the same time, reconnecting with cultural traditions, language, and spiritual practices has been shown to strengthen resilience and improve mental health outcomes.
Access to care remains another major barrier. Stigma around seeking help can be a barrier in tight-knit communities where privacy is a concern. Additionally, Western models of mental health care do not always align with Indigenous perspectives that view wellness as a balance of mind, body, spirit, and community.
Efforts to address these disparities are growing. Improving men’s mental health requires both systemic change and personal action. Checking in on friends, talking openly about emotions, and supporting culturally grounded care can all make a difference.
The Southern Ute Tribal Health Department works to provide culturally informed care. The Behavioral Health Division works from a mind-body-spirit-community lens to integrate traditional healing practices with clinical care. Our community groups encourage open dialogue among men, helping to redefine strength as the willingness to seek help and support others.
As the conversation evolves, one message is clear: strength is not found in silence. For all men – especially those navigating complex cultural histories – healing begins with connection, understanding, and the courage to speak. The Southern Ute Tribal Health Department’s mobile medical unit will be offering health information, healthy snacks, and cultural crafts and wellness items with a focus on ways to improve men’s overall health and well-being on Tuesday, June 16 at the Sky Ute Casino Resort entrance from 8 a.m. to 12-noon. We hope to see you there!
Here’s to your good health!
It’s okay not to feel okay.
If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use, please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division at 970-563-5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist.
Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out.
And for those interested in opioid use education, harm reduction, and support, please contact us for quick Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips. We can schedule individual, family, or friends training times at our Southern Ute Behavioral Health Building, or we can come to you, and the training is around 30 minutes. Please call us at 970-563-5700 to set up a training appointment.