Sometimes, the hardest thing for a man to do is ask for help and the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up and listen. Many men are taught to keep their emotions private, so knowing how to approach the conversation can make all the difference.

Start by checking in with genuine care, using simple, open-ended questions like “How are you, really?” or “You’ve seemed a bit quiet lately, want to talk?” Offer support, not solutions, and avoid phrases like “Be strong” or “You’ll get over it.” What men need most is a safe space to be honest.