097: The 3 Biggest Threats to Men’s Mental & Emotional Health w/ Pierre Azzam

The Better Man Podcast

There is a certain epidemic that’s strangling men’s mental and emotional health. But since it’s sneakier for men than it is for women, many mental health clinicians don’t even know how to spot the signs.

I’m referring to depression, isolation, and a lack of connection with other men.

Men are lonelier than perhaps ever before. But we experience depressive symptoms in a more subtle way than women—and this further exacerbates our mental health.

That’s why I invited one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet about this topic onto today’s episode in Pierre Azzam. Pierre is a physician and professional coach with over a decade of experience in neuroscience and mental health—including battling lifelong depression himself.

Through his clinical work, Pierre recognized that the mental health industry as a whole is terribly unaware of men’s mental health problems. Since then, he’s founded Braver Man (and then Braver Collective) to address these issues men face in an effective manner.

In today’s episode, Pierre and I discuss…

• Why depressive symptoms show up differently for men than women
• How postpartum depression also affects new fathers
• The exact amount of time it takes to rewire your brain and free yourself from depression
• The 3 biggest threats men face to their overall mental and emotional wellbeing

And more, including…

• Does your fear stop you from doing things that would enhance your life? Here’s what Pierre recommends to conquer this fear (6:10)
• How to feel more comfortable with being vulnerable and acknowledging your emotions (even if you got bullied for this as a child) (13:48)
• Why the postpartum period can cause intense mental health risks for not only mothers, but fathers too (22:56)
• The major hormonal changes men go through after becoming fathers—that almost no new father realizes (25:43)
• How judging yourself morphs into toxic shame that causes more angry outbursts with your loved ones (31:13)
• Why the most common depressive symptoms for men are commonly missed (even by mental health clinicians) (31:58)
• This book reveals all the various ways men cover up their depression (37:04)
• Why practicing gratitude when you notice depressive symptoms is a massive step forward (even if it doesn’t feel huge in the moment) (51:13)
• The exact amount of time it takes to rewire your brain’s neuroplasticity to free yourself from depression (56:36)
• Why shared experience between other men can save your mental health (and even your life) (1:05:22)
• The 3 biggest threats almost all men face to their overall mental and emotional wellbeing (1:12:42)

Listen now!

Resources mentioned on this episode:

1. Braver Man Coaching & Braver Man Collective: If you’re interested in working with Pierre in one-on-one coaching or a greater collective of other men, you can learn more about each on his site here: https://www.bravermancoaching.com/

2. Follow Pierre on Instagram: The best way to keep up-to-date with how Pierre’s improving men’s mental health is by following him on Instagram here: @braver.man

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