As International Men's Day approaches on November 19, celebrated chef Harpal Singh Sokhi has opened up about the pressing issue of men's mental health and the societal pressures that prevent men from seeking help. The day is dedicated to recognizing men's contributions to society while highlighting critical health and wellness challenges they face.
The Silent Struggle: Why Men Don't Speak Up
In a candid conversation, Chef Sokhi expressed his strong views on how men's mental health remains largely ignored in public discourse. "I agree that men's mental health is always overlooked and is a topic that is never discussed," he stated emphatically. The celebrity chef believes this silence stems from deep-rooted societal expectations that men should naturally handle pressure without complaint.
He elaborated on this widespread phenomenon, noting that most men internalize their struggles rather than sharing them. "They do not share; they feel that, you know, they're born to take that pressure, and come what may, they will handle it. And I think that is something that is so true with most men around the country and the world," Sokhi added.
The Vulnerability Barrier in Modern Society
Despite growing awareness about mental health, Chef Sokhi observes that men still find it difficult to express vulnerability. He describes this reluctance as "very personal" and something that doesn't come easily to most men. "Not everybody would express, not everybody would share, not everybody comes out in the open and speaks about it. They still hold back things," he explained.
The chef revealed that men typically only open up to people they've known for a very long time, creating significant barriers to seeking professional help or even casual support. "I don't think they come out easily in the open to speak about what they are or what they are going through," he shared, emphasizing his strong belief in this pattern of behavior.
Creating Safe Spaces for Conversation
When asked about potential support systems, Chef Sokhi suggested that close friends and family can play a crucial role, but only in specific, comfortable settings. "Close friends, over a drink or over a cup of tea, can discuss," he mentioned, while still acknowledging the deeply personal nature of these conversations.
He stressed that mental health remains "under wraps for men" and that they require very close relationships to feel comfortable sharing their struggles. "They still need very close people, very close friends, and very close family with whom they can go out and speak," Sokhi emphasized.
The chef concluded with a concerning observation about how men typically manage stress: "They rarely speak out unless and until it reaches an absolute level where they think it is now time to seek company." This tendency to withhold stress until reaching breaking point highlights the urgent need for more open conversations around men's mental health, particularly as International Men's Day aims to bring these issues to the forefront.
