#samhsa-resources

[manuelnunezmd]

Mental Health Policy Overhaul: Bridging Gaps in Care—and What It Means for You

🚨 BREAKING: 2024’s mental health policies are rewriting lives—but the fight for equity is far from over. Meet Jenna, a Wyoming teacher who lost her job while waiting six months for trauma therapy. Hear Dr. Lin, a psychiatrist fighting state-by-state licensing rules that block care. Discover how new telehealth laws are reaching rural families—and where they’re falling short. In our latest deep dive, we explore: 🔹 The $6B overhaul: How expanded Medicare coverage and workforce grants aim to unclog broken systems. 🔹 Hidden barriers: Why 1 in 5 insurance claims are still denied despite 'parity' laws. 🔹 Human cost: Therapists drowning in paperwork, AI replacing empathy, and patients forced to become 'polite pests.' But there’s hope: ✅ Real-world wins: A Michigan mom’s 14-day appeal battle that saved her daughter’s OCD treatment. ✅ Tools for action: Step-by-step guides to verify coverage, find sliding-scale clinics, and escalate denied claims. 📖 This isn’t just policy—it’s personal. Read stories of resilience, access our free resource toolkit, and learn how to add your voice to the revolution. Tag someone who needs to see this, and demand better care for all. 👉 Read the full article now: [LINK] MentalHealthMatters #Telehealth #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcarePolicy #BreakTheStigma

Introduction: The Day the System Failed Jenna Jenna, a 34-year-old teacher from rural Wyoming, spent six months on a waitlist for trauma therapy after her car accident. By the time a slot opened, her panic attacks had cost her job. “I felt invisible,” she says. Stories like Jenna’s fueled 2024’s mental health policy revolution—a sweeping effort to unclog fragmented systems and ensure care meets…

[unofficialchronicle]

Resource on Compassion Fatigue and Self-care for Crisis Counselors  by SAMHSA

Link: https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/ccp-toolkit/self-care-for-crisis-counselors

[goingontomorrow]

Update on LGBT Information Removals from U.S. Government Websites

It has been observed that references to "LGBTQIA+" and similar acronyms have been shortened to "LGB" on several U.S. government websites. However, some agencies, such as the National Archives and the National Library of Medicine, appear unaffected.

When government agencies remove web pages, the standard procedure is to use a tool called Pagefreeze, which archives the content while indicating that the page is no longer actively maintained.

Pagefreeze Information: Pagefreeze for Government

Example of a site with Pagefreeze: Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Protections for Youth in the Child Welfare System – HHS

The Children’s Bureau within the Administration for Children & Families has taken the approach of marking pages as archived rather than removing them entirely:

LGBTQIA2S+ Resources – Administration for Children & Families

Pages That Are Still Active

National Archives Title: LGBTQIA+ Research Resources URL: https://www.archives.gov/research/lgbt/lgbtqia

National Library of Medicine Title: The Role of Public Health in Ensuring LGBT+ Health Equity URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4689648/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Title: Support for the LGBTQI+ Community URL: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope/support-for-lgbtqi-community

Library of Congress Title: LGBTQ+ Pride Month Resources URL: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/resources/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Title: LGBTQ+ Veteran Care URL: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/index.asp

National Park Service Title: LGBTQ Heritage Initiative URL: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=442&projectID=53065

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Title: LGBTQI+ Competency Training Resources URL: https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/lgbtqi/enhanced-resources/competency-training/index.html

Pages That Have Been Removed (With User Created Archive Links)

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Title: Protecting the Rights of LGBTQI+ People Removed URL: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/lgbtqi/index.html Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Title: LGBTQI+ Health & Well-being Removed URL: https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/lgbtqi/index.html Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Department of State Title: Global Equality Fund Removed URL: https://www.state.gov/global-equality-fund Archived Version: Wayback Machine

Youth.gov Title: LGBT Youth Resources Removed URL: https://youth.gov/federal-links/lgbt-youth-resources Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Title: HUD LGBTQI+ Resources Removed URL: https://www.hud.gov/lgbtqi Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Department of Justice Title: LGBTQI+ Working Group Removed URL: https://www.justice.gov/crt/lgbtqi-working-group Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Title: LGBTQ+ Special Emphasis Program Removed URL: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-assistant-secretary-civil-rights/special-emphasis-programs/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-lgbtq-program Archived Version: Wayback Machine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Title: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Removed URL: https://www.cdc.gov/youth-safe-environments/communication-resources/index.html Archived Version: Wayback Machine

U.S. Census Bureau Title: LGBT Adults Report Anxiety, Depression at All Ages Removed URL: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/12/lgbt-adults-report-anxiety-depression-at-all-ages.html Archived Version: Wayback Machine

Notable Change in Terminology

The U.S. Department of State has a webpage titled "LGB Travelers", which previously included broader LGBTQ+ information but now only references "LGB."

URL: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgb.html

[0possum-pine]

Crisis hotlines for queer, trans, POC, women, and marginalized people struggling with their mental health today

This is a list of copy and pasted crisis hotlines, that I plan to continue to update if I find more resources. Please share if you can. It’s very easy to feel incredibly terrified right now but please don’t lose hope.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

dial 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org to chat with someone online

The Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth

Call 1-866-488-7386 or visit

www.thetrevorproject.org for gender-affirming and queer-friendly support.

for people struggling with substance abuse:

Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org) & Narcotics Anonymous (www.narcotics.com) have meetings on Zoom almost every hour

SAMHSA's National Helpline for substance abuse: 1-800-622-HELP (4357)

Call Blackline: 800-604-5841

* Centers BI&POC, LGBTO+ Black Femme Lens

Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (US),

877-330-6366 (Canada)

* Run by and for Trans people

Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line:
888-407-4515

* Trained peer supporters

StrongHearts Native Helpline:
844-762-8483

* Centering Native Americans & Alaska Natives

Thrive Lifeline: 313-662-8209

* Trans-led and operated

LGBT National Help Center: 888-843-4564

Maternal Mental Health Hotline

* 1-833-TLC-MAMA

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5438405/lgbtq-988-lifeline-samhsa-hhs

Sending this because the people angry about this and saying Republicans hate LGBT because of it would also shit themselves if Trump sneezed wrong, so I’m was hoping to get a more nuanced take on it.

So this is the full official statement from the SAMHSA:

On July 17, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will no longer silo LGB+ youth services, also known as the “Press 3 option,” to focus on serving all help seekers, including those previously served through the Press 3 option. The Press 3 option was established as a pilot program in Fiscal Year 2022 under a government agreement with a third party. The Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus included a Congressional directive for $29.7 million to fund the specialized services. Federal funding in FY24 for the Press 3 services increased to $33 million. As of June 2025, more than $33 million in funds have been spent to support the subnetworks, fully expending the monies allocated for 988 Lifeline LGB+ subnetwork services. Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.

So, it seems like they're ending specialized service for le queers (which only existed for three years anyway) in order to focus on helping everyone equally and to cut costs. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing probably depends on whether or not you think gays need a special section of the suicide hotline reserved just for them. Personally I don't think that's necessary. And I think that reserving space, personnel and money for a sub group that makes up 5%-10% of the population is probably a waste of resources when you can just train the regular operators how to deal with gay issues in addition to all the other training they get.

[boggyblazingmood]

You just spill the first idiotic idea you get, you don’t even make any sense retard and chris fulton is going to be in season 5 as Eloises endgame, so go ahead and start getting it in your retarded head

Can I be honest? What are you gaining from sending me these asks. I don't work for the show and nor am I involved in any sort of aspect in the entertainment industry. I'm just a fan who loves Theloise. And why wouldn't I? Calam and Claudia owned their scenes together! They also have an acting career unlike Chris Fulton.

Here are some mental health hotlines:

https://www.mentalhealtheurope.org/library/youth-helplines/

Also saying these ableist remarks are rather heinous. This is not the 2000s in which you can use words like that to insult people.

[thanksbutno98]

I’ve seen some very upsetting things going on in the communities I frequent. If anyone ever needs help please know there are resources and people who love and care about you.

Please share and add resources you know of.

And here is a resource I found on tumblr in how we as a community can help.

[robynochs]

Bisexuals are the largest part of the LGBTQ+ community, yet face significant mental health disparities. Casira Copes, the President of the Bisexual Resource Center, attended the first SAMSHA LGBTQIA+ Behavioral Health Summit in 2024 and highlights the need for greater inclusion of BIPOC and marginalized voices in discussions about queer health. Read about the call for change and the power of bi+ community during the Fall 2024 Bi Women Quarterly:

https://www.biwomenquarterly.com/bibipoc-reflections-on-the-first-samhsa-lgbtqia-behavioral-health-summit/

[altocat]

The cheesiest of anons is here :)

@chez-boi

💛 (or 🧡) 💝❤️‍🩹🫀.

Okay kinda angsty ig???? Uhm so…. Remember that fist cheese ask I sent in?

Like…. Not wanting to seem too gloomy here, but I was gonna kms the next morning. But then I saw your response, and decided to just… send in another ask. And then it spiralled into whatever is going on now, and I genuinely can’t consider committing anymore because who’s gonna tell you or any of my other mooties? Who’s going to here cheese at anyone’s faces if I’m gone?

In all honesty? You unknowingly saved my life. And I have to thank you so much for that, Alto. Thank you.

If this doesn’t seem to strange, I see you as kind of like an elder sister or the cool cousin. Just…. Always there, and really calming, as well as hyper and funny af :)

That's...

I honestly don't know what to say. Thank you so much.

But if there's anything you need, please please please reach out to friends, family, or someone irl you can trust. Your mental health is extremely important and I can't stress enough that we're glad that you're here and that every second matters. YOU matter. And I hope you know that.

Here's some helpful resources below. Please take care of yourself.

988lifeline.org

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse) 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474

The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386

Be safe, be well. I'm so glad you're here. And I know so many other people are too.

[beneaththebirches]

Welcome to my Blog!

I wanted to make this pinned post to help you navigate my blog easier and make everything a bit more interactive !

Soon there will be a masterlist and prompt list that you can explore and really dive into so I will be working on that as soon as I can!

Please feel free to send me questions or just silly things, I love to interact with you guys. The more the merrier!

-Liz

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Facts About Me!

I'm from New York

My favorite food is Indian food

I have my Associate Degree in Science

I live with multi-system chronic illnesses

I am best friends with @torturedtypewritersdept in real life!

I have had close to two dozen surgeries and procedures

I lived in Kansas for a year

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Coming Soon:

Masterlist: A centralized collection of all the fanfiction I've written or posted, organized for your easy navigation. It typically includes links to each story, along with brief descriptions, pairings, and tags. This way, you can quickly find the content you're interested in without having to scroll through my entire blog.

Prompt List: A collection of creative ideas or scenarios that inspire my writing. It can include specific themes, phrases, or situations that you or I can use as starting points for fanfiction. I'm sharing a prompt list on my blog to encourage engagement, allowing readers to request stories based on the prompts or inspiring me to write new pieces. It’s a fun way to spark creativity and connect with my audience!

Former Blog: @sublimecatgalaxy

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Links and Important Topics:

DNI List:

Minors please stay away! I'm sure you love to read but my content might not be suited for you!

Aggressive sexual situations. I will write smut occasionally if in the mood to write it but I will not write anything abusive or romanticizing said abuse.

No Rape or Incest Requests will be tolerated.

If you're going to be rude or mean, please just stay away! I'm very fragile and go through a lot in my day to day life so I want this to be a really positive place for me to go and escape so please help me and my followers achieve that!

I typically will write a female reader but if you wish to request a gender neutral reader, I can do that also with no problems!

Helpful Links:

Call or text 988 for mental health crises

Use 988lifeline.org to chat with someone regarding a mental health crisis

National Institute of Mental Health website 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center 

ADAA 

International OCD Foundation 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

SAMHSA’s website 

Eating Disorders Anonymous 

[pumpkin-the-girlie-girl-vixen]

*From Rock Bottom to Redemption: My Journey with Meth Addiction and Mental Health*

As I sit here, reflecting on my recent experience, I am filled so many emotions – gratitude, shame, guilt, and ultimately, hope. My story is one of struggle, of hitting rock bottom, and of finding the strength to rise again.

*The Descent into Darkness*

It started with meth. I was already living with borderline personality disorder, bipolar schizoaffective disorder, and a cocktail of medications to manage my symptoms. But meth promised a temporary escape, a fleeting high that would numb my pain. I was wrong.

Meth hijacked my brain, canceling out the prescription medication that had been working for me. It consumed me, body and soul. I lost everything that mattered – friends, partner, home, and nearly my life.

*The Wake-Up Call*

My suicide attempt landed me in the ICU, where I faced the darkest corners of my own mind. The journey to recovery was not easy. I had to confront the demons I had been trying to escape – the shame, guilt, and pain.

In the psych ward, I was forced to confront the stranger I had become. Meth had amplified my symptoms, making me unpredictable and volatile. I struggled to recognize myself, to reconcile the person I once was with the person I had become.

*The Road to Recovery*

But with time, therapy, and medication, I began to heal. I learned to manage my symptoms, to recognize the triggers that led me down the path of addiction. I worked through the guilt and shame, learning to forgive myself and recognize that I was deserving of love and good things.

*The Science Behind Meth Addiction*

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive stimulant that can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. For individuals with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, meth can:

- Amplify symptoms of anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis

- Disrupt mood regulation, leading to intense emotional dysregulation

- Impair cognitive function, including decision-making and problem-solving

- Increase risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

*The Impact on Relationships*

My addiction also took a toll on my relationships. I pushed away friends and family, isolating myself in a cycle of shame and guilt. I struggled to maintain intimacy, as meth consumed my every waking moment.

But with recovery, I began to rebuild those relationships. I learned to communicate openly and honestly, to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. I rediscovered the joy of connection, of laughing and loving with others.

*The Power of Redemption*

Today, I am grateful to say that I am sober, and I am me again. The journey was not easy, but it was worth it. I have learned to love myself, flaws and all, and to recognize that I am deserving of love, care, and compassion.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and mental health, please know that there is hope. Reach out to a mental health professional, a support group, or a trusted friend or family member. You are not alone, and you are worthy of redemption.

*Resources:*

- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hotline: 1-800-950-6264

- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

- Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741

Remember, recovery is possible, and redemption is within reach.

[snzcaretaker]

❆ 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕟 𝕐𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕪𝕤 ❆

Reader insert. Reader is in the caretaking role, gender neutral. Sickie is male. Image Sources: Napkins | Glass

CW: Mess, and also cocaine use. This is a dark one, crosses into whump territory. Proceed with caution. Here is a link to SAMHSA, the US substance abuse hotline and resources.

He's a strung out business type in a fancy suit, hair slicked back, viciously charming. You're eyeing him across the glass table of the VIP booth at the back of a club. He's tapping out his neat little lines with a credit card, probably wants to impress you. Besides that, he needs the energy. He looks exhausted, and his $5k watch reads 3:30 AM. You don't really know what to say, but your heart rate spikes. He's in no condition to be doing this. "Stop. Wait - "

He doesn't, obviously. Just smiles in the most punchable way, like he enjoys being a bad boy in front of innocent do-gooders. But it's not that you're a do-gooder, it's that you're scared for him. He sniffs deeply while he rolls up a banknote, preparing his airways for the powder. It doesn't sound great. He's too tired, and congested, maybe even sick. You try again, you say you'll buy him another drink instead, that he should maybe just think about it for a minute, that this is not your idea of "cool." You dance on the edge of pissing him off, but he just ignores you and gives you another insufferable grin, daring you to try to physically stop him. Which you won't, of course - he's a grown man. But still.. "Please," you say.

No luck. He puts the roll to the table, lines up his nostril, and snorts. You can see the whole thing happening in a kind of slow motion, the way his nostril flares all the way up to the bridge of his nose. And then the way his whole face starts to quiver, a vein pulsing in his forehead, his cheeks suddenly flushing and eyes snapping closed. He fights it for a half a second, but it's a losing battle. A massive, desperate sneeze blows the other two lines to a scattered mess as his body rejects the foreign substance and cries out for relief.

"Goddammit! Do you know how much this shit costs?" There are tears in his eyes. "Fuck. Stings too." He screws up his face again, pinching the bridge of his nose. It's useless. A second sneeze erupts out of him, and then a third and fourth in quick succession, this time spraying the table. The glass doesn't look so pristine anymore. You pass him a napkin. "I - goddammit," he repeats, and buries his messy nose into it in resignation. He's fiercely flushed and you can't tell whether it's from embarrassment, from the distress he's just caused in his own sinuses, or from what little coke made it into his system.

The half-hit seems to only fuel his frustration. He balls up the napkin in his fist and stutters wordlessly until his breath starts hitching again and you pass him a fresh one. He has to blow his nose three times before it seems alright, but even then, he's still snuffling every few moments, trying to ease the pain.

He finally glances up at you, no longer smiling but instead frowning tremulously with exhaustion and misery. He can't meet your eyes for more than a split second. "Don't fucking look at me like that. I know, okay? I know." He chokes on the last word and buries his head in his hands. "What am I doing with my life..." he says, muffled and hopeless. You realize with alarm that he's about to cry, and scoot close enough to pull him into your arms. He's too tired to protest. He just curls against your chest, face pressed wetly against your neck. It's pathetic really, the way he's sobbing, nose running freely, unable to hold anything back. He seems to be talking in gasps about how empty his life is but you can't make out much of the words. Eventually, the tears quiet to sniffles.

"It's okay. I'm gonna call you a cab, okay? We'll get you home." He nods against you, rubs his irritated nose one last time into the collar of your shirt, and lets you rescue him.

[pastel-charm-14]

❁take care of yourself❁

remember to prioritize your mental health. it's okay to take a break and focus on self-care. you are worthy of love and care.

some mental health resources if you need them:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Psychology Today

Crisis Text Line - text "HELLO" to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Therapy for Black Girls

7 Cups

BetterHelp

Headspace

Mental Health America (MHA)

[graysongoal]

@longshrimp none of the ones above that I shared will call the police. Scarleteen also has shared some additional lines that won't involve police here.

SAMHSA (listed by OP) is a line I've seen listed both on safe line resource lists and on lists that will call the police. I would say prioritize another line unless this is your last option due to the lack of clarity.

988 and The Trevor Project's hotline (listed by OP) both will call the police. Many state and local hotlines will also involve authorities, as will calling 911 (generally speaking).

Please, spread this for those who might need it right now

U.S. suicide hotline: call or text 988 (available 24 hours)

U.S. trans lifeline: (877) 565-8860 (when you call, you’ll speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator. full anonymity and confidentiality)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – provides 24/7 confidential support and referrals for individuals and families facing mental health and substance use disorders, including panic attacks and anxiety.

LGBT National Help Center: (888) 843-4564

Trevor Project: Call (866) 488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat online.

Take care of yourself and each other. Please stay safe ♡

[podtherapy]

#390: Grey Rocking Narcissism Therapist Needs Friends Weight Loss Journey

This week we have questions on how to grey rock a narcissist, how to make friends as a therapist and a story about weight loss.  Join our patreon! Listen ad-free, get the show a day early and enjoy the pre-show hang out on the same app you're using RIGHT NOW at www.Patreon.com/Therapy where you can also access our vast library of deep dives, interviews, skill shares, reviews and rants as well as our live discord chat! If you are an Apple user please rate us! If you are a Spotify user, please rate us! Submit a question to the show! Help us reach #1 on Goodpods! Interested in Nick's mental health approach to fitness? Check out www.MentalFitPersonalTraining.com Check out Dr. Jim's book "Dadvice: 50 Fatherly Life Lessons" at www.DadviceBook.com Grab some swag at our store, www.PodTherapyBaitShop.com Play Jim's Neurotic Bingo at home while you listen to the show, or don't, I'm not your supervisor. Submit questions to: www.PodTherapy.net PodTherapyGuys@gmail.com Follow us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Twitter Resources: Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255. Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline - (1-800-662-HELP (4357) OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline - 1 (800) 273-TALK U.S. Mental Health Resources Hotline - 211 via https://ift.tt/Y2SDjdu

[roselynwrites]

Men's Mental Health: The Fluidity in Performative Awareness

As we start the new month, I highlight the focus of its dedication, which is men's mental health. Mental health awareness focuses on accountability when suffering and its healing process, advocating for institutional change to access resources for everyone. However, when does 'awareness' become performative-- shaping to fit one's agenda rather than actual needs?

For example, when highlighting the disparities between men during mental awareness months, specifically in June, which conflicts with Pride month, partaking in the same month. Instead, individuals tend to only highlight the experiences of straight men, negating the personal experiences of queer men, who, too, identify as male. Hence, affecting the inclusivity of Men's Awareness Month as queer men are not allowed to be included in the discourse on the effects of mental health within men, accounting for high suicide rates and hypermasculinity, which also relates to the rising homophobia as one tends to define what a man means when expressing dominant traits including aggressiveness rather than acknowledging that what it means to be a man differs based on our perspectives.

Nevertheless, women, too, account for the active discrimination between men, as some continue to Support homophobia, specifically within Black and Hispanic communities, reinforcing gender norms within our culture to maintain the subjectivities that danger and limit us. Discussing men's mental health while dismissing the existence of fluidity within males harms the purpose of the movement. How can we harm and, too, expect respect from others? How can we promote love for all when we accept those different from us? We were born on this Earth to be different, to express the beauty within creation, to showcase our ideas, and to preach our freedom while loving others.

However, do all men benefit from the patriarchy, as its main component is gender? While the establishment of patriarchal structures does highlight gender differences, the treatment of gender depends on other aspects, including race and class. For example, user @realavalouiise posts a TikTok, stating she does not "care about men's mental health month" because of the mistreatment of women and their advantages throughout society. However, the video failed to account:

The establishment of patriarchy was made to enforce superiority for White men. Hence, why women had to wait centuries to vote (Black women were the last to get these rights); they were rulers, colonized many countries, and imposed universal male suffrage so all men could vote because only white men could.

Nevertheless, patriarchy not relating to race or class is a misconception, as intersectionality exists. Why did Black men and men of color have to wait to vote despite being men? Because of their race, they are excluded from voting rights and underrepresented, and white men have their voices heard through their vote instead of theirs. Class, too, affected these individuals, as their education was tested to prove their intelligence to vote. Still, working-class individuals do not have the same educational resources, preventing them from voting.

If we continue to harm others instead of accounting for our suffering, mental health, especially those of men, will not improve. This month highlights selfishness and the importance of promoting love for our neighbors and helping others while holding them accountable for their disregard. If we continue to spread hate with words, why spread awareness? First, we must understand others based on their experiences, not judge. Instead, we listen and Support them when needed; a little goes a long way.

If you ever need help:

https://www.nami.org

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

American Psychiatric Association

Remember, it's OK not to be OK. The first step is to admit so.