At an “everyman” weekend retreat in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, about 50 men gather to talk openly about struggles men often bury – like loneliness.
“We can just be true and real with each other,” said John, a participant from Connecticut.
Last year America's Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Loneliness declared a national health epidemicSaying that it poses just as deadly a risk as smoking. Nearly half of American adults say they have experienced loneliness, Murthy said in his office's 81-page report.
Lucas Crump, co-founder of Everyman, said the impact on men can be particularly difficult to address because of gender-based stigma.
Crump said, “As men, we've traditionally been put in a box and given a very small range to express our emotions. There are a lot of men out there walking around, not necessarily being able to express their emotions. Be alone, but feeling very lonely.”
According to this, almost 1 in 7 men say they do not have any close friends data From the Survey Center on American Life.
Crump's organization hopes to combat that crisis of connection by giving participants a safe space to share whatever they're feeling.
“What men are really looking for is to belong. They want to be a part of something,” Crump said.
For example, participants may talk openly about problems in their relationships and may be surprised to learn that other people are experiencing similar problems.
Another participant said, “There's something about letting your guard down and having fun with other people. It's hard to replace.”
