June is men's mental health month and a central Illinois mental health professional has some thoughts on men as what he calls reluctant patients.

Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, believes there is good reason to believe men are stubborn when it comes to addressing their mental health.

One of the stigmas of men and their mental health is the fact that men have been taught addressing their mental health isn't an appropriate thing to do. Kirkman believes this plays out not only in men addressing mental health issues but primary care issues and that is the minimizing of anything going on.

For men's mental health month, Kirkman would like to see more conversation and advocacy for men to find resources for care. 

Like women and children, Kirkman believes men can fall into the trap of the comparison mindset and while their comparisons may not stem from the things they see on social media, they might notice the family down the street with the latest trendy vehicle or new things at their home or they took an elaborate vacation. He believes this has its impact on men given their desire to provide for their family. 

He encourages any men in need of resources to find the Piatt County Mental Health Center at piattmhc.org or your local mental center in your community.