General
Men's Mental Health Living with a Chronic Illness and Kidney Disease
Men’s mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it’s often overlooked, especially for men living with chronic illnesses. Many men stay silent, hiding what we're going through, because society has conditioned us to believe that opening up or showing struggle is a sign of weakness. In reality, speaking out takes incredible strength (Say That Again!!)
Living with a chronic illness can strip away things you once did with ease, and it’s natural to question, does not being able to do certain things make us look weak or vulnerable? Or can it actually reveal a deeper kind of strength?
Living with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) layered on top of chronic autoimmune conditions is a relentless battle, physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and mentally overwhelming. The constant medical appointments, uncertainty, and pain But here’s the truth, we are stronger than the storm. Every day we choose to keep going is a victory. Our minds may bend under pressure, but they do not break.
Living with chronic illness, like ESRD and autoimmune disease, mental health isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. It helps us process grief, manage fear, and find meaning in the struggle. When we care for our minds, we reclaim power. We remind ourselves that healing isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal.
Brothers, let’s open this up for real discussion, your voice matters, your story matters, and together we can break the stigma and inspire each other to stand strong in vulnerability...
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Transplant Patient
Yes!!! The number 1 thing I dream of and advocate for is more mental health support in chronic illness.
keep sharing your message, friend!
Emmitt, I appreciate you being such a champion for this critically important topic!
What an amazing post Emmitt! Mental health for EVERYONE! Male, female, trans, everyone. Thank you for your advocacy!
I struggle with my mental health from time to time. Often I can find the brighter side of things but there are times where living with chronic illnesses really get to me. Feeling broken or frustrated with not being able to do things that I want to do. I have talked to a therapist in the past and like many people he told me to take pleasure in the things that I can do which is a great solution, but not as satisfying as feeling like someone who does not have these struggles but we have to ground ourselves in reality and move forward.
i agree with u about seeing a therapist. I also think its important to find a hobby that u enjoy doing just to get your mind off the stress for a little bit we all go through. Also good to be in a support group to have people than can lift u up and understand what your going through mentally .
Yes Emmitt thanks for your wonderful, post maybe we try to do a lyfetalk about mental health, maybe me you and kevin can look to share our journey with mental health and the stigma that men have? let me know