Cliffs:
- male friendships have dropped off a cliff since the 1970's
- after the early 20's/college years men lose friendships more rapidly than women
- many men let their connections go and rely on their partner's connections for a social life
- treatments for depression seem to be better suited to women- direct one on one communication, need to be heard and understood/comforted
- men do better with group therapy, like a "men's circle" which is less confrontational/less vulnerable feeling
- depressed/anxious men benefit more from accomplishing things/building a sense of efficacy and self-worth
- men benefit greatly from "third spaces", aka: shared places that are not work or home
If you want to step up and improve the mental health of men in your community, or improve your own social connections, then be the guy who does the "emotional work" of making contact and making plans. Men are more likely to meet up to do a specific activity together [watching sports, playing poker/pool, etc.].
A specific "third space" they talk about is a shed... a community workshop, or maker's space where men can show up on a Saturday or Sunday and do projects together/help each other make and fix things.
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