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Syracuse’s National Alliance on Mental Illness Chapter Focuses on Men’s Mental Health Men’s Mental Health at Forefront of Syracuse’s NAMI Chapter

By Anthony Leon

Cody Stokes: June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Our NCC News Reporter Anthony Leon is live outside the local Syracuse chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Anthony, what can you tell us about the ways the center is changing the stigma around men’s mental health.

Anthony Leon: That’s right Cody. Historically, there has been a lot of shame and guilt when it comes to men discussing their feelings. However, NAMI believes patience and persistence are often the keys to breaking down those walls.

Kate Hayden and her husband started attending NAMI meetings when their son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Now a volunteer, Hayden says NAMI helped her navigate the difficult process of helping her son, who doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong with him.

Kate Hayden: It’s not easy to deal with someone, but NAMI has a wealth of programs that will teach you how to live with someone with a mental health diagnosis.

Leon: Through school outreach programs, NAMI has discovered that more young men are now more willing than ever before to talk about their feelings. However, Marla Byrnes believes there are still a lot of fears when it comes to coming forward.

Marla Byrnes: People just have had so many obstacles in their way, to keep them from seeking help because, they just felt ashamed.

Leon: NAMI provides zoom meetings that people can attend confidentially and anonymously. As much as family can support their loved ones, Linda Lazzari says the motivation needs to be there.

Linda Lazzari: Men who do finally admit that they could use some help and come in are generally very motivated to get better.

Leon: When people attend the meetings, they aren’t required to participate. Jeremy Montague says listening to others can help people tell their own story.

Jeremy Montague: Listening is the most important thing to begin with. If you’re listening, then you’ll be a little bit more open.

Leon: Hayden says her husband wasn’t initially comfortable in participating in the NAMI meetings even though he wanted to save their son’s life. She believes having the conversation was really important.

Hayden: My husband wasn’t as comfortable even though he was trying to save his son’s life. He had to learn and now he’s a facilitator for the VA program.

Leon: Now one of the biggest problems as well is the shortage of mental health workers. According to Byrnes, this issue stems from a lack of recognition and pay. With that being said, NAMI believes more conservations around men’s mental health at the educational level will reduce the stigma around it in the long term.

Reporting from the local Syracuse NAMI chapter, Anthony Leon, NCC News.

Guys, back to you in the studio.

Stokes: For more information, call 211 or visit NAMI’s website for more information.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Kate Hayden and her husband started attending meetings at the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Syracuse when their son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and Hayden said NAMI helped navigate the difficult process of helping her son, who doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong with him.

“It’s not easy to deal with someone,” Hayden said. “NAMI has a wealth of programs that will teach you how to live with someone with a mental health diagnosis.”

Historically, shame and guilt are associated with men’s mental health when it comes to discussing their feelings. Through patience and persistence, many men are able to break down those walls. However, Marla Byrnes said there are still a lot of fears when coming forward.

“People just have had so many obstacles in their way, to keep them from seeking help because they just felt ashamed,” Byrnes said.

NAMI has Zoom meetings that people can attend confidentially and anonymously. Through school outreach programs, young men are more willing than ever before to talk about their feelings.

As much as families can support their loved ones, NAMI volunteer Linda Lazzari said the motivation needs to be there.

“Men who do finally admit that they could use some help and come in are generally very motivated to get better,” Lazzari said.

When people attend the meetings, NAMI said they aren’t required to participate. Jeremy Montague, the interim executive director, said listening to others can help people tell their own story.

“Listening is the most important thing to begin with,” Montague said. “If you’re listening, then you’ll be a little bit more open.”

Now a volunteer, Hayden said her husband wasn’t initially comfortable in participating in the NAMI meetings, even though he wanted to help their son. Hayden believes having the conversation was really important.

“My husband wasn’t as comfortable even though he was trying to save his son’s life,” Hayden said.  “He had to learn, and now he is much more comfortable.”

For more information, people should call 211 or visit NAMI’s Syracuse website.

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