Asking for Help

Men we work with often get hung up on the notion of asking for help. They perceive it is weak or not masculine. They feel fearful about being judged and they anticipate embarrassment or worse humiliation. The image we offer men is an image of being connected.

I often ask men, have you ever been to Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Some have of course, but either way we discuss what’s there. In Rockefeller Plaza there is a statute of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders. Then I point to the circle of friends image in my office which depicts human beings in a circle supporting each other.

The question then arises, how do you want to live, in isolation carrying all of your problems on your shoulders or in a context of being connected, able to receive and give support to others?

The support groups for men we offer at the Men’s Resource Center of West Michigan provide the opportunity to truly experience the benefits of being connected, rather than isolated.