Category: Prison

When Men Feel Trapped: Lessons About Mental Health from Prison Life

Anxiety, Boys, Depression, Growing Up, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Prison, Psychology, Stress, SuicideLeave a comment

This essay argues that prison life exposes, in intensified form, the same psychological pressures many men face in everyday modern life: loss of agency, identity erosion, chronic stress, emotional isolation, and the belief that “functioning” equals health. Drawing on conversations with former inmates and observations from prison ministry, the author shows how men unravel not primarily from violence, but from isolation, dehumanization, and avoidance of inner pain—patterns mirrored outside prison through overwork, numbing behaviors, and silent suffering. The piece emphasizes that men heal when dignity is restored through purpose, trusted responsibility, structured community, and honest self-examination, rather than punishment or performance-based worth. Ultimately, the essay reframes men’s mental health as a human and structural issue, arguing that if practices like truth-telling, meaningful responsibility, and brotherhood can sustain men under extreme confinement, they are essential tools for helping men reclaim resilience, identity, and emotional well-being in everyday life.Continue reading

Homicide and the Lifespan Gender Gap

Boys, Domestic Violence, Economics, Education, Events, Family, Family Issues, Growing Up, Health, Lifestyle, Masculinity, PrisonLeave a comment

Summary: Men’s Health Network highlights how homicide contributes to the Lifespan Gender Gap—the nearly six-year difference in life expectancy between men and women. Each preventable death of a young man shortens the national average and represents lost potential, relationships, and community strength. In his article, Dr. Andrew Smiler examines data showing that men account for 80% of homicide victims, with most deaths occurring among young men under 35. Many are killed by people they know, often in moments of conflict or status-related tension. Smiler suggests that prevention begins with education—teaching boys and men how to resolve conflict, manage emotions, and de-escalate situations without violence. Men’s Health Network calls for greater empathy and early intervention to help young men live longer, healthier lives, reminding readers that every life saved helps close the gap and strengthen families and communities nationwide.Continue reading

Closing the Gap: How You Can Make a Difference This Giving Tuesday and Beyond

Advocacy, Aging, Anxiety, Boys, Cardio, Chronic Fatigue, Deployment, Depression, Diabetes, Disparities, Domestic Violence, Economics, Editorials, Education, Education, Events, Eye Health, Family, Family, Family Issues, Fatherhood, Fertility, Fitness, Growing Up, Health, Health, Legislative, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Military, New Again, Nutrition, Other Cancers, Others, Others, Parenting, Policy, Prison, Prostate, Psychology, Public Policy, Regulatory, Relationships, Research and Science, Sex, Sports, STDs, Stress, Substance Abuse, Suicide, Testicular, Testosterone, Uncategorized, Vaccines, Veterans, Well-being, WorkLeave a comment

We need your help this Holiday Season to make an impact with the health and well-being of men and boys everywhere. The Lifespan Gender Gap has widened to 6 years, with men dying way too early from preventable diseases. We need everyone's help to get life-saving education, resources, and more into the hearts of communities across America. Consider purchasing from the Men's Health Network store or by donating today. Continue reading

Literary Convention and the Slaughter of Innocent Children

Editorials, Growing Up, Health, Legislative, Lifestyle, Masculinity, Mental Health, Parenting, Prison, Public Policy, Regulatory

As we try to absorb the tragic events at the school shooting in New Town, Connecticut, various sages have come out of the background to tell us what it all means, and what we can do about it. Gun control advocates – long ignored by our political leaders – have told us, reasonably enough, that...

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