Why we struggle to ask for help

👋 This session is for men only. Some events are open to everyone - those will be clearly marked.

Most men find it easier to struggle alone than to ask for help; myself included. We tell ourselves we are handling it, or that it is not that bad yet. But there is usually more going on beneath that.

🗣️ What we will explore:

• Cultural expectations. Most of us grew up with the idea that men should handle things on their own. We will look at where that comes from.
• The costs of not asking. What actually happens when you keep everything to yourself?
• Different types of help. Practical, navigational, emotional, professional. Each one gets difficult in its own way.
• Pride and ego. Not wanting to look like you cannot handle it.
• Fear of burdening others. Avoiding asking because you do not want to be a weight on someone else.
• The lack of trust. If you do not trust people to respond well, you will not open up.
• Not having anyone to ask. Some men would ask if they could, but there is simply no one close enough.
• Not knowing how to ask. Wanting help but not knowing how to start that conversation.
• How to change. What would need to be different for asking to feel okay? We finish with something concrete to try.

⏰ Time and details
We will start at 10:30 am. This time we will try the 1st floor cafe. Please look for a paper with "PACED" written on it. And please be there a few minutes early so you can grab a coffee if you want, and we can start on time.