I know you have them. In our society, it's always been accepted that we don't share them. Men who are sensitive, vulnerable, or open with their feelings have been disregarded and looked down on. But we feel them, don't we? Sometimes you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes you're heartbroken. Lost. Angry. Frustrated. Sorrowful. Lonely. Even joyful. Even joy and kinship and love are feelings that men have been expected to suppress, for fear of being "girly" or "soft."

I have been heartbroken. I have been overwhelmed. I have been frustrated, and joyful, and afraid. Other men have felt what you've felt. Sometimes you may not even understand what it is you're feeling, because it's so often not even discussed. You don't know how to process it.

At times your feelings can become too difficult to manage, too difficult to control. Too many turn to suicide when they cannot cope. Some turn to violence against others. We cannot accept this. But there are people who understand. When it's all too much, there are people who will listen.

Talk to someone. Confront your feelings, and share them with someone. It will feel so liberating. It will help so much to lighten the load you bear, when it seems like too much to handle. It will help you to understand yourself, and to understand others. And you can be there to help lighten the load for others who are laboring beneath the same burdens. Perhaps it's a family member you can talk to. Perhaps a friend, a brother. You will find that there are many more people out there than you expect. People who understand, or in the absence of understanding, will still listen to you, allow you to open up and lean on them. It's hard to do the first time. It's hard to do the tenth time. But it feels so much better every time. It helps you to grow, to become a better person, to cope with your difficulties, and to help others. It's worth it, every time.

We can all do this. Too many have died because they haven't been able to bear the weight of their emotions on their own. Be there for others. And please, please, allow others to be there for you. You are brave, and strong. Talking about your feelings doesn't make you any less so; it only makes you stronger. More capable, and more free. Allowing others to be there for you is the best way that you can ensure you'll be able to always be there for others.

If you can't find someone to talk to in real life, whether it's family, or friends, a therapist or counsellor, there are always safe places on the internet to find people to talk to. Even subreddits like this one, and others. Do yourself a favor and talk to someone. Talk to anyone, about anything. If you can't find someone to talk to, you can send me a PM anytime. I'd like to be able to help everyone, although I know that when I get a lot of messages, I'm not able to give each one all the time and effort it deserves. I am available to listen, however, if all you need is for someone to hear you and to understand.

If anyone happens to know any good resources for men, feel free to add them in a comment here as well.