Why does he pretend to be okay?

[Anonymous]

I know my male friend has had difficult times. I gave him a chance to talk about it. I didn't ask about these difficulties but gave him a chance to open up. He pretended to be okay.

Why did he do this? He has opened up to me before. I have been also having difficult times lately and he has been there for me. So I want also to be there for him.

Can I do anything or should I just leave him alone?

[harvest]

Oh honey... We don't do that around here 😅
I know it may sound cringy, but the fact is that ever since we hit puberty, we learn very quickly that no one gives a shit about our mental state or our well being. Even if we kill ourselves it doesn't make the news unless we killed our woman along side us.
Convincing a man to open up can be VERY difficult. And the deeper the subject, the more difficult the "excavation".

[Asker]

He has opened up to me before. Now he seems just distant. I'm really worried.

Can he be this way because he knows I'm having difficult times. So he feels like he needs to be strong for me?

So there is nothing I can do? I don't want to pressure him and push him away.

[harvest]

Let him be. let him know that if he wants to, he can talk to you and then leave him alone.

[jahaims]

When I don't want to open up about something it's because I don't want people to look at me different after they know. Like about my childhood or something like that.

[England4eva]

Guys struggle with this cause society doesn’t allow the same emotional freedom we have. Why don’t you instead of asking if he’s ok, strike up a normal conversation about something he likes so that he still feels your support without having to be vulnerable. Once he develops trust he will start to open up more. Best of luck