Is men’s group worth it? What is a men’s group? How can I find a men’s group? Are men’s groups safe spaces to open up, share, and learn? How do men’s groups work? If you are looking for answers to any of these questions, you have come to the right place.
My name is Sean Galla, a facilitator for men’s groups, also commonly referred to as men’s support groups with more than 10 years of experience. For many generations, men were made to believe that talking about their issues is a show of weakness. This is why for the longest time, men did not have safe spaces they could go to for support, advice or even just to talk to fellow men about issues affecting men.
Men’s groups work to ensure young men and old, regardless of orientation, or occupation, can get the support they need as they navigate through life. Whether you are looking for mental health support, career advancement advice, or social support, being part of a men’s group can be all the help you need.
In this article, you will get all the guidelines you need to understand men’s groups and get to learn whether they are worth it.
Table of Contents:
What are men’s groups?
Men’s groups are a group of dudes meeting regularly to talk about men’s issues. It can also be said to be a type of group therapy for men’s issues often guided by a trained therapist or a facilitator. This type of talking support is available for men in different parts of the world since most men’s groups are online. When not online, these group therapy sessions can take place in mental health clinics, therapeutic practices centers, hospitals, and community centers.
A men’s group can also be a self-improvement group where a small group of men meet to talk about different issues related to self-improvement and personal development while sharing resources and advice that can help them in their self-improvement journey.
They are also safe spaces where a group of guys can go for camaraderie, to vent, learn, and adopt the skills needed to help navigate life as a man. This sense of safety is enforced through a set of men’s group rules and regulations.
The main benefits of joining a men’s group are immense. So much so that most men seeing a therapist are asked to find and join a men’s group as an important part of their recovery process. If you prefer to avoid joining a therapy group, joining a general men’s group can be the next best choice.
Men’s groups can also exist for general issues, mental health issues, chronic conditions, and any other topic relatable to men. These groups are for men going through similar issues, as they offer a safe space to share and learn without fear of ridicule or shame.
Is men’s groups worth it? – the benefits
Should I join a man’s group? Can it be beneficial? Is Men’s Group Worth It?
For the longest time, a lot of men were unable to show emotion or even accept that they feel them. Opening up was considered weak and unmanly. Even today, how ‘hard’ a man is, is often used as a measure of his masculinity and determine whether he can be considered as an alpha male. This is why, up to today, men feel embarrassed to share their feelings or show vulnerability.
According to statistics, suicide rates are higher in men than in women. A major contributing factor to these high numbers in men is the inability to share feelings. Men are forced to bottle up their emotions and go through stress alone, which is the false idea of healthy masculinity. This often leads to poor mental health and serious distress among men since men cannot seek help and do not know where to go for help.
When they do decide to seek help for their issues, they are often placed in unisex groups. Being group amongst women in therapy makes it hard for men to share openly, which can stagnate their healing process.
This is why men need their own liberation groups. Men’s only groups offer a safe space for circles of men to share their own experiences, talk about men’s work, learn from one other, and get help in a safe place.
Being part of a men’s group or men’s circle ensures that troubled men have a platform to air their concerns and worries. They also offer helpful resources to men who seek help for different health and social issues. Once they get the help they need, they can use their experiences to help others.
Most group members experience a sense of relief when they find a group they can share freely among other men going through the same issues.
Different men’s groups are designed to target specific groups and address specific issues. These include:
- Depression support groups
- Social anxiety support groups
- Panic disorder support groups
- Obesity and eating disorder support groups
- Addiction and recovery support groups
- gay men’s support group
- Chronic pain support groups
- Breakups support groups
Some groups focus on self-improvement and improving social skills. They seek to help the members overcome issues like low self-esteem, shyness, anger, and loneliness, which prevents them from living a fulfilling life.
What are the goals of men’s groups?
Men’s groups are supportive networks
A men’s group is a support network and sounding board for anyone who needs a listening ear. The group members help each other through different life issues using group-based sharing and support ideas and group exercises and activities. The group equips you with the tools you need for personal growth and holds you accountable along the way.
Diversity
Is Men’s Group Worth It?
In a men’s group, members come from different culture, ethnicity, academic background, and social standing brought together by an issue familiar to them. This gives the group diversity and an opportunity to see issues from different perspectives.
You can learn a lot about handling your own issues when you see how different people handle the same issues. You will learn of different coping mechanisms and strategies, giving you a better chance to overcome different issues.
More than just a support group
While it is possible to benefit from a professional therapy group, most people have also found great success in being part of social groups for men where group members are free to share whenever want. The facilitator introduces helpful men’s groups topics, shares resources with the members, including scientific solutions to different issues specific to different groups based on need.
Is Men’s Group Worth It? – Choosing a men’s group
Accessibility
Are men’s groups helpful? When choosing the best men’s group, you need to consider how much access you have to the group. In-person support groups require members to meet in person at pre-determined locations. This can make it difficult for some people if they live away from the meetup location, or are shy about showing up in person for group therapy.
On the other hand, online support groups can be accessed from anywhere as long as you have access to the internet or a social media platform, whether you are in the other end of California or Los Angeles. Online support groups offer better accessibility and anonymity compared to in-person groups. Your choice depends on your needs and preference.
Open or closed
The difference between an open and closed group is that new members are always free to join an open group while closed groups do not accept new members once the groups meetings begin. People interested in joining closed groups can only do so during the registration window. For men who are sensitive and shy, it is best to begin with a closed group, as this makes it easier to familiarize themselves with the members and how support groups work.
Confidentiality and rules
For a group to work especially a men’s group, members must hold the issues raised and shared in the group as sacred. The need for privacy should be an important part of the group, as this is the only way trust can be built. Group members start as strangers but grow to be important parts of your everyday life. For a group to benefit its members, facilitators ensure that trust is valued in the group.
Joining a men’s group
A search on google will give you access to numerous men’s groups in different locations. If you prefer not to join in-person groups, it is possible to find an online men’s group like mensgroup.com, menspeak men’s groups and The Mankind Project.
Men’s groups options to consider
L3 Leadership
https://l3leadership.org/masterminds5/
This mastermind group is centered on building a community of leaders by encouraging them to grow to their full potential. As a member of L3, you are encouraged and equipped to follow your dreams, and are guides on how to become a better leader in your family, community, city, and country. All L3 mastermind group members are coached, encouraged, and held accountable as part of the growth process to meet your goals.
Man Therapy
This men’s therapy organization facilitates men’s therapy sessions for men struggling with addiction, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, grief, relationship issues and trauma. It specifically targets veteran and first responders who need support.
Mensgroup
Mensgroup is an online men’s support group that strives to offer group session support, guidance, and help to men struggling with different life issues.
Mensgroup uses group exercises and activities as part of service delivery. The mensgroup.com group therapy session will give you the information you need to overcome different men issues and lead a better life. It is more than just a therapy group. It equips you with resources that make you a better man and ensure you lead a better, more fulfilling life.
As one of the best men’s group, a mensgroup.com group meeting takes place virtually over video or chat, making it perfect for busy men who prefer not to attend physical meetings or men who are attending groups for the first time.
Is men’s group worth it? – Conclusion
Is Men’s Group Worth It? Yes, men’s groups are worth it. Joining a men’s group can seem scary at first, but it should not be. Taking part in the group activities on men’s group is the best way to understand the group process and connect with the members. If you are a man interested in joining a group, mensgroup.com is perfect for meeting like-minded men who will listen and offer advice with no judgment.