# data[].attributes.body
Family upbringing plays an important role in mental health.

When raised in a family who feigns ignorance to mental health, people find it harder to talk about their mental health or open up to people about it.

Growing up in an environment that encourages people to share and open up will allow them to be more willing to talk about their mental health.

# data[].attributes.body
Would help friends out if they need emotional support

Closeness of friends affects comfortability in sharing about own issues

May feel need to not talk about emotions as much in order to appear strong to fit in with friends

# data[].attributes.body
Afraid of judgement or disturbing others with their issues. Thus, keeping problems to themselves to be more independent.

# data[].attributes.body
Men are scared to seek help due to the fear of being vulnerable and being mocked by others, leading to them suppressing their emotions

They can only open up to people whom they already know well

Academic concerns

# data[].attributes.headline
“Try to like listen to them and like hear out why they are feeling this way and try to like see if there’s anywhere I can help”

# data[].attributes.subject
“Try to like listen to them and like hear out why they are feeling this way and try to like see if there’s anywhere I can help”

# data[].attributes.body
How would you offer support to these friends?

# data[].attributes.body
Could have had a upbringing that reinforces a open, healthy mindset towards facing and expressing their own emotions

Start from those closer (friends/family) and learn to open up from there

In need of close (healthy) relationships around them to learn to open up and be vulnerable

# data[].attributes.body
Despite society being more open about mental health, there is still a social stigma about men's mental heatlh that is being taught from young by traditional households

More socially acceptable for women to seek help but not men as men are seen as the less emotional sex

# data[].attributes.body
Hard to identify when to reach out for help and may suppress emotions as it is seen as strength in men

# data[].attributes.body
Influencers such as the Tate brothers on social media are affecting the mindset of young impressionable males in society

# data[].attributes.body
Having close friends may not equate to good support system

# data[].attributes.headline
1. Would you feel comfortable seeking help from a counselor or therapist if you were struggling emotionally?

# data[].attributes.subject
1. Would you feel comfortable seeking help from a counselor or therapist if you were struggling emotionally?

# data[].attributes.headline
2. What issues have you seen that might prevent you, or a friend, from asking for help in regards to personal mental health issues?

# data[].attributes.subject
2. What issues have you seen that might prevent you, or a friend, from asking for help in regards to personal mental health issues?

# data[].attributes.headline
3. How would you offer support to these friends?

# data[].attributes.subject
3. How would you offer support to these friends?

# data[].attributes.headline
4. Is it uncomfortable for you to speak about emotions/feelings with your friends?

# data[].attributes.subject
4. Is it uncomfortable for you to speak about emotions/feelings with your friends?

# data[].attributes.headline
5. What is your ideal support group? Do you think you have a good support system?

# data[].attributes.subject
5. What is your ideal support group? Do you think you have a good support system?

# data[].attributes.headline
6. Has anyone ever ignored or prevented you from sharing about your personal troubles? If yes, explain in PEEL. If not, good for you.

# data[].attributes.subject
6. Has anyone ever ignored or prevented you from sharing about your personal troubles? If yes, explain in PEEL. If not, good for you.

# data[].attributes.headline
7. What are your views on men's mental health?

# data[].attributes.subject
7. What are your views on men's mental health?

# data[].attributes.headline
8. Do you think there is a difference in the viewpoint of men and women seeking help for their mental health?

# data[].attributes.subject
8. Do you think there is a difference in the viewpoint of men and women seeking help for their mental health?

# data[].attributes.headline
9. Do you think that there’s any unique challenges that young men face when it comes to addressing their own mental health in Singapore? If so, do share more.

# data[].attributes.subject
9. Do you think that there’s any unique challenges that young men face when it comes to addressing their own mental health in Singapore? If so, do share more.

# data[].attributes.headline
10. Do you think there are social norms in Singapore that bars men from reaching out more?

# data[].attributes.subject
10. Do you think there are social norms in Singapore that bars men from reaching out more?

# data[].attributes.headline
11. Do you believe that men in Singapore are afraid of being seen as less ‘tough’?

# data[].attributes.subject
11. Do you believe that men in Singapore are afraid of being seen as less ‘tough’?

# data[].attributes.headline
12. What does “be a man” mean to you? Does this mindset affect your willingness/openness to seek help?

# data[].attributes.subject
12. What does “be a man” mean to you? Does this mindset affect your willingness/openness to seek help?

# data[].attributes.headline
13. Have you ever come across any of your friends judging other men for seeking help? If yes, please share. If not, next question.

# data[].attributes.subject
13. Have you ever come across any of your friends judging other men for seeking help? If yes, please share. If not, next question.

# data[].attributes.headline
14. Do you have any male role models who have shown you that it's okay to talk about your feelings? How have they influenced you?

# data[].attributes.subject
14. Do you have any male role models who have shown you that it's okay to talk about your feelings? How have they influenced you?

# data[].attributes.headline
15. How do you think the media's portrayal of men affected the way you deal with emotions?

# data[].attributes.subject
15. How do you think the media's portrayal of men affected the way you deal with emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
16. Do you think physical health and exercise positively affect maintaining good mental health for men?

# data[].attributes.subject
16. Do you think physical health and exercise positively affect maintaining good mental health for men?

# data[].attributes.headline
17. How do you think early childhood experiences and upbringing shape men's attitudes towards mental health?

# data[].attributes.subject
17. How do you think early childhood experiences and upbringing shape men's attitudes towards mental health?

# data[].attributes.headline
18. Have you ever sought professional help for your mental health? If yes, how was the experience? If not, would you consider it?

# data[].attributes.subject
18. Have you ever sought professional help for your mental health? If yes, how was the experience? If not, would you consider it?

# data[].attributes.headline
19. If you could change the publics’ perspective on this issue, what would you do?

# data[].attributes.subject
19. If you could change the publics’ perspective on this issue, what would you do?

# data[].attributes.headline
20. What actions/changes in society or people, would make you more likely to open up to others about your mental wellbeing?

# data[].attributes.subject
20. What actions/changes in society or people, would make you more likely to open up to others about your mental wellbeing?

# data[].attributes.headline
21. What advice would you give to men who may be struggling with their mental health but are hesitant to seek support?

# data[].attributes.subject
21. What advice would you give to men who may be struggling with their mental health but are hesitant to seek support?

# data[].attributes.body
Ideal support system and if they have it.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Yeah. I do not want to be seen as weak.”

# data[].attributes.subject
"Yeah. I do not want to be seen as weak.”

# data[].attributes.body
Are you afraid to open up to friends?

# data[].attributes.headline
Family Stigma/Ignorance to Mental Health

# data[].attributes.subject
Family Stigma/Ignorance to Mental Health

# data[].attributes.body
“I think it lies in our culture. A lot of the parents are still, I will say, not aware of this thing because of the way they were raised. They're like, Oh, mental health. It's not real. Or that, "I don't know what it is". You know, kind of like that. It's really built into them. So they treat us that way too. But times are changing. And I think it's, that's one of the reasons why like if someone were to suffer from a mental health issue they wouldn't seek help. And yeah, it's family, family thing.”

“They've just been in this mindset of like “all mental health doesn't exist.” It's just drilled into their mind. That's why they think that like, "oh, no, I'm just sad" for just one day. It's okay. I'll move on. And everything will be fine tomorrow, but honestly, personal experience is that this does not help because it just ends up building up and you might hurt someone that you know, means a lot to you.”

# data[].attributes.body
What stops you from opening up to others?

"Fear of being mocked"

# data[].attributes.body
What stops you from opening up to others?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I wouldn't be super comfortable with seeking a therapist or at least not immediately because for me, I am someone who I will only open up once I start to like trust the person and I start to get to know them better. And like for me, it has to be like a two-way street in the sense where like if I'm going to open up to the person, the person also has to open up to me in that sense.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“I wouldn't be super comfortable with seeking a therapist or at least not immediately because for me, I am someone who I will only open up once I start to like trust the person and I start to get to know them better. And like for me, it has to be like a two-way street in the sense where like if I'm going to open up to the person, the person also has to open up to me in that sense.”

# data[].attributes.body
Would you feel comfortable seeking help from a counselor or therapist if you were struggling emotionally?

# data[].attributes.body
17 year old boy (secondary school)

Hobbies: Cycling, badminton, computer games, volleyball

# data[].attributes.body
18 years old, likes gaming, hanging out with friends, hiking and doing sports like frisbee

# data[].attributes.headline
“No. I would be going to a place that my brain has already suppressed"

# data[].attributes.subject
“No. I would be going to a place that my brain has already suppressed"

# data[].attributes.body
Would you visit a counselor or therapist?

# data[].attributes.headline
“Family-wise” - “may grow up in an abusive household” - “they won’t like talk about them, open up, they won’t like, they find it difficult to like talk about themselves, their emotions, their feelings and all”

# data[].attributes.subject
“Family-wise” - “may grow up in an abusive household” - “they won’t like talk about them, open up, they won’t like, they find it difficult to like talk about themselves, their emotions, their feelings and all”

# data[].attributes.body
What issues have you seen that might prevent you, or a friend, from asking for help in regards to personal mental health issues?

# data[].attributes.headline
“It really depends on who I’m like talking to” - “there are people who are of course closer to, so for me it’s easier to talk to them about their mental health and such”

# data[].attributes.subject
“It really depends on who I’m like talking to” - “there are people who are of course closer to, so for me it’s easier to talk to them about their mental health and such”

# data[].attributes.body
Is it uncomfortable for you to speak about emotions/feelings with your friends?

# data[].attributes.headline
“it's more socially acceptable for women to seek help and to seek the comfort and all from like their friends, their family and such. Whereas for men, I think it's more so like you just have to deal with it in a sense like it's not as like socially acceptable and it's like, it's, oh well, it used to be more so like frowned upon that men look for help from like others, professionals, friends, family and such.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“it's more socially acceptable for women to seek help and to seek the comfort and all from like their friends, their family and such. Whereas for men, I think it's more so like you just have to deal with it in a sense like it's not as like socially acceptable and it's like, it's, oh well, it used to be more so like frowned upon that men look for help from like others, professionals, friends, family and such.”

# data[].attributes.body
Do you think there is a difference in the viewpoint of men and women seeking help for their mental health?

# data[].attributes.headline
“in Singapore, it's a very like academic kind of lifestyle” - “lot of times can be difficult for like men to open up to try to talk about all this without feeling judged.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“in Singapore, it's a very like academic kind of lifestyle” - “lot of times can be difficult for like men to open up to try to talk about all this without feeling judged.”

# data[].attributes.body
Do you think that there’s any unique challenges that young men face when it comes to addressing their own mental health in Singapore? If so, do share more.

# data[].attributes.headline
(Mental health) is important for me because it's something that controls you... (gets worse)You will end up not being yourself suddenly"

# data[].attributes.subject
(Mental health) is important for me because it's something that controls you... (gets worse)You will end up not being yourself suddenly"

# data[].attributes.body
How important is your mental health to you?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I would say nowadays is since mental health is more like becoming more talked about in terms of like seeking mental health and all those like all these helplines, therapies is a lot more socially acceptable now.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“I would say nowadays is since mental health is more like becoming more talked about in terms of like seeking mental health and all those like all these helplines, therapies is a lot more socially acceptable now.”

# data[].attributes.body
Do you think there are social norms in Singapore that bars men from reaching out more?

# data[].attributes.headline
“this TikTok and like Instagram reels and all this, it's like always that toxic masculinity that you see from like from others that like some people try to portray that all men should be like, should be like the man of the house in a sense and shouldn't like have to seek any like help from anyone else”

# data[].attributes.subject
“this TikTok and like Instagram reels and all this, it's like always that toxic masculinity that you see from like from others that like some people try to portray that all men should be like, should be like the man of the house in a sense and shouldn't like have to seek any like help from anyone else”

# data[].attributes.body
Do you believe that men in Singapore are afraid of being seen as less ‘tough’?

# data[].attributes.headline
“to me like being a man doesn't mean, doesn't change anything”

# data[].attributes.subject
“to me like being a man doesn't mean, doesn't change anything”

# data[].attributes.body
What does “be a man” mean to you? Does this mindset affect your willingness/openness to seek help?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I wouldn't say I've really seen my like friends as like judging any other men” 

# data[].attributes.subject
“I wouldn't say I've really seen my like friends as like judging any other men” 

# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever come across any of your friends judging other men for seeking help? If yes, please share. If not, next question.

# data[].attributes.headline
"I feel there is (mindset to be tough) because they taught from the, they taught from young... taught to be the head of the house, a breadwinner. So, meaning that they have to take care of the household and be strong"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I feel there is (mindset to be tough) because they taught from the, they taught from young... taught to be the head of the house, a breadwinner. So, meaning that they have to take care of the household and be strong"

# data[].attributes.body
In singapore, do you think there is a mindset that men have to be tough and cannot show emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“it's not so much like having a role model but more so like having a, my own idea of it and just like and my own idea of it being like opening up to like my friends and all.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“it's not so much like having a role model but more so like having a, my own idea of it and just like and my own idea of it being like opening up to like my friends and all.”

# data[].attributes.body
Do you have any male role models who have shown you that it's okay to talk about your feelings? How have they influenced you?

# data[].attributes.headline
"I feel there is (mindset to be tough) because they taught from the, they taught from young... taught to be the head of the house, a breadwinner. So, meaning that they have to take care of the household and be strong"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I feel there is (mindset to be tough) because they taught from the, they taught from young... taught to be the head of the house, a breadwinner. So, meaning that they have to take care of the household and be strong"

# data[].attributes.body
In singapore, do you think there is a mindset that men have to be tough and cannot show emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“it hasn't affected the way you deal with emotions but you think it has affected the way people see men? Yeah.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“it hasn't affected the way you deal with emotions but you think it has affected the way people see men? Yeah.”

# data[].attributes.body
How do you think the media's portrayal of men affected the way you deal with emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“for early upbringing is quite important in a sense where like if you start young and like growing up in an environment that encourages you to share and open up, it really helps to like, it helps you to be more willing to open up in later years”

# data[].attributes.subject
“for early upbringing is quite important in a sense where like if you start young and like growing up in an environment that encourages you to share and open up, it really helps to like, it helps you to be more willing to open up in later years”

# data[].attributes.body
How do you think early childhood experiences and upbringing shape men's attitudes towards mental health?

# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever sought professional help for your mental health? If yes, how was the experience? If not, would you consider it?

# data[].attributes.body
“Well, that's a thing. It's very hard to identify. Because you yourself, would just be like wallowing in sadness. So most of the time, I would say that it's a lot better if someone else noticed that you are undergoing like some emotional distress and offer you like for comfort or whatever. So, if you ask me about best time, I would say what, two three business days and then coming to school said if they're not even in school, you know, like, just gone. You don't see them for a week you might want to message them because there might be something going on.“

# data[].attributes.headline
"I need to be strong in front of my friends, in front of my own guy friends and everything. I need to be strong in front of them so that I can fit in. And it will affect a lot because i will end up only talking very briefly. I will not talk a lot. Not go deep"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I need to be strong in front of my friends, in front of my own guy friends and everything. I need to be strong in front of them so that I can fit in. And it will affect a lot because i will end up only talking very briefly. I will not talk a lot. Not go deep"

# data[].attributes.headline
“I would definitely try to encourage it like starting, like opening up from young definitely because I really think it's like very influential on a person because like starting young is still like the foundation of it”

# data[].attributes.subject
“I would definitely try to encourage it like starting, like opening up from young definitely because I really think it's like very influential on a person because like starting young is still like the foundation of it”

# data[].attributes.body
If you could change the publics’ perspective on this issue, what would you do?

# data[].attributes.headline
"I usually suppress. Usually keep it to myself. I usually don't share it" (*in the past)

# data[].attributes.subject
"I usually suppress. Usually keep it to myself. I usually don't share it" (*in the past)

# data[].attributes.body
How do you usually cope with these different stress or difficult emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I would say definitely if like more people are like more encouraging to like and like they encourage you to open up, they're more like receptive of what you're feeling. It definitely helps because like if more people are encouraging, you don't feel like you'll be judged and all”

# data[].attributes.subject
“I would say definitely if like more people are like more encouraging to like and like they encourage you to open up, they're more like receptive of what you're feeling. It definitely helps because like if more people are encouraging, you don't feel like you'll be judged and all”

# data[].attributes.body
What actions/changes in society or people, would make you more likely to open up to others about your mental wellbeing?

# data[].attributes.body
20 y/o Media and Design Student of SP

Likes gaming

# data[].attributes.headline
“You could always just start small with like a close friend or like a family member that you are really close to and you know won't judge you. And like even if it's just one person, it still goes a long way because like it's still helping you to like ease the burden and such.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“You could always just start small with like a close friend or like a family member that you are really close to and you know won't judge you. And like even if it's just one person, it still goes a long way because like it's still helping you to like ease the burden and such.”

# data[].attributes.body
What advice would you give to men who may be struggling with their mental health but are hesitant to seek support?

# data[].attributes.headline
"I would say definitely with like social media and all, it has definitely made men's portrayal of like needing mental aid definitely a lot worse in a sense where like, if let's say we have like influencers like the Tate brothers who project toxic masculinity and how men should be like quote-unquote like alpha males and all"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I would say definitely with like social media and all, it has definitely made men's portrayal of like needing mental aid definitely a lot worse in a sense where like, if let's say we have like influencers like the Tate brothers who project toxic masculinity and how men should be like quote-unquote like alpha males and all"

# data[].attributes.body
How do you think the media's portrayal of men affected the way you deal with emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
"No because firstly it's too expensive for a youth like me. And i feel like sometimes therapist might not be the best of help. When you yourself really don't open up to your friends, don't already open up to your closest person, then how is opening up to a stranger gonna help you? .... I would feel like scared to go to them (school counsellors) ... there's no relationship...They won't be there for you when you are at the lowest."

# data[].attributes.subject
"No because firstly it's too expensive for a youth like me. And i feel like sometimes therapist might not be the best of help. When you yourself really don't open up to your friends, don't already open up to your closest person, then how is opening up to a stranger gonna help you? .... I would feel like scared to go to them (school counsellors) ... there's no relationship...They won't be there for you when you are at the lowest."

# data[].attributes.body
Would you be comfortable to seek professional help?

# data[].attributes.headline
"Um, concerns wise, I mean there's the underlying cause of school work is stress."

# data[].attributes.subject
"Um, concerns wise, I mean there's the underlying cause of school work is stress."

# data[].attributes.body
What are your biggest concerns currently?

# data[].attributes.headline
"end of the day, there's still like the social stigmatism that like males have to be strong pillars and like they, it can be hard to like seek support from people because like, like men are supposed to deal with their own emotions"

# data[].attributes.subject
"end of the day, there's still like the social stigmatism that like males have to be strong pillars and like they, it can be hard to like seek support from people because like, like men are supposed to deal with their own emotions"

# data[].attributes.body
Have you ever felt pressure to suppress your emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I mean, I would stay there and just be silent as long as they need me to be or be by whoever's side…it's either silent support or if they want to talk to me about it. I will listen to them.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“I mean, I would stay there and just be silent as long as they need me to be or be by whoever's side…it's either silent support or if they want to talk to me about it. I will listen to them.”

# data[].attributes.headline
Comfortability on Seeking counselling services

# data[].attributes.subject
Comfortability on Seeking counselling services

# data[].attributes.body
“Yeah, definitely. I mean, so now I can cope. I have been coping okay. I haven't lost it yet. So I don't think I should see a therapist yet.”

# data[].attributes.headline
"I feel like it has affected me a lot more because i used to think that men are supposed to keep everything (to) themselves, don't cry or just be strong in the family. Then as i encounter suppression, i realised can really lead to different thing like depression.... you realise that there is a lot of things inside you that is very painful"

# data[].attributes.subject
"I feel like it has affected me a lot more because i used to think that men are supposed to keep everything (to) themselves, don't cry or just be strong in the family. Then as i encounter suppression, i realised can really lead to different thing like depression.... you realise that there is a lot of things inside you that is very painful"

# data[].attributes.body
How has suppression affected you as a whole?

# data[].attributes.headline
"I feel you may have a good support system, but whether you are able to utilize it, that's another issue."

# data[].attributes.subject
"I feel you may have a good support system, but whether you are able to utilize it, that's another issue."

# data[].attributes.body
Do you have a good support system?

# data[].attributes.body
Ideal support system and if they have it.

# data[].attributes.headline
"My mental health is currently about five to eight around there"

# data[].attributes.subject
"My mental health is currently about five to eight around there"

# data[].attributes.body
From a scale from one to ten, how good is your mental health currently?

# data[].attributes.body
From a scale from 1 to 10, rate your current mental health.

# data[].attributes.headline
"would say for me personally, I either like find outlet through like playing games or like spending time with friends."

# data[].attributes.subject
"would say for me personally, I either like find outlet through like playing games or like spending time with friends."

# data[].attributes.body
How do you usually cope with stress or difficult emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
“I would say definitely with like social media and all, it has definitely made men's portrayal of like needing mental aid definitely a lot worse in a sense where like, if let's say we have like influencers like the Tate brothers who project toxic masculinity and how men should be like quote-unquote like alpha males and all

# data[].attributes.subject
“I would say definitely with like social media and all, it has definitely made men's portrayal of like needing mental aid definitely a lot worse in a sense where like, if let's say we have like influencers like the Tate brothers who project toxic masculinity and how men should be like quote-unquote like alpha males and all

# data[].attributes.body
How do you think the media's portrayal of men affected the way you deal with emotions?

# data[].attributes.headline
Oh, yeah, definitely. It's like that the Singaporean education system is very stressful. But a lot I've seen a lot of my friends like who are guys they just end up either one, breaking or two, dropping out because they cannot handle the stress. This has nothing to do with being a man it's just mental health in general. But I think for guys its generally more because of whatever stereotypes, we generally bottle our emotions to that point where we can't find any way other than to just quit. Yeah.

# data[].attributes.subject
Oh, yeah, definitely. It's like that the Singaporean education system is very stressful. But a lot I've seen a lot of my friends like who are guys they just end up either one, breaking or two, dropping out because they cannot handle the stress. This has nothing to do with being a man it's just mental health in general. But I think for guys its generally more because of whatever stereotypes, we generally bottle our emotions to that point where we can't find any way other than to just quit. Yeah.

# data[].attributes.body
Do you think there's other unique challenges? Like you said, like the culture?

# data[].attributes.headline
Okay, since we're in Singapore, you're gonna get bullied. If you go to NS and you're like, I really like emotional person. Because if you're like, on the field, and you start crying because you're scared or whatever, your sergeants will just like, not care because combat is combat. And if you're in a war, this usually you will be dead or something. So it's like some kind of mental and that's a train people. To have this like mental stereotype in their head.

# data[].attributes.subject
Okay, since we're in Singapore, you're gonna get bullied. If you go to NS and you're like, I really like emotional person. Because if you're like, on the field, and you start crying because you're scared or whatever, your sergeants will just like, not care because combat is combat. And if you're in a war, this usually you will be dead or something. So it's like some kind of mental and that's a train people. To have this like mental stereotype in their head.

# data[].attributes.body
Does culture affect men's mental health in Singapore?

# data[].attributes.headline
I would like for society to be more accepting towards Men’s Mental Health so I feel more comfortable seeking external help.

# data[].attributes.subject
I would like for society to be more accepting towards Men’s Mental Health so I feel more comfortable seeking external help.

# data[].attributes.headline
I need non-judgmental friends so I don’t feel like I need to act tough to fit in.

# data[].attributes.subject
I need non-judgmental friends so I don’t feel like I need to act tough to fit in.

# data[].attributes.headline
I need more encouragement and check-ins from friends and family so that I don’t bottle my feelings up.

# data[].attributes.subject
I need more encouragement and check-ins from friends and family so that I don’t bottle my feelings up.