Breaking the silence: How one man is taking charge of his mental health
Kevin* always believed in the importance of self-improvement. Growing up with unresolved conflicts from childhood and tackling difficult decisions in adulthood, he knew that he needed help to truly understand himself and become the best version of who he could be. He had already made significant strides in self-care, sobering up six years ago and regularly attending AA meetings. But therapy, he felt, was the next crucial step.
“I don’t have the stereotypical male mindset when it comes to therapy and mental health,” he says. “My grandfather was in therapy for 30 years and my mom was always working to better herself. I grew up surrounded by good examples.”
Kevin attributes his family to normalizing therapy and breaking the stigma – particularly when it comes to men seeking mental health support.
Discovering Just Us
Kevin heard about Just Us, which offers free and low-cost counselling services in Saint John and Fredericton, where he lives, through word of mouth.
“My partner had heard about the program and then my sister-in-law started going, so I thought I would give it a try too,” he recalls.
This wasn’t Kevin’s first experience with counselling. He had attended a few sessions six years ago when he became sober, but his insurance didn’t cover the cost and he could no longer afford it, despite it being helpful.
For Kevin, access to affordable counseling was a game-changer.
"I wouldn’t be getting the care I’m looking for if it weren’t for Just Us," he says. "I'm not in that tax bracket. It's not feasible for me to see a therapist, which my insurance would cover, for only four visits. What do you get after that? You have to wait for eight months until your annual benefits renew."
“I don’t have the stereotypical male mindset when it comes to therapy and mental health,” he says. “My grandfather was in therapy for 30 years and my mom was always working to better herself. I grew up surrounded by good examples.”
Finding Support
Kevin has been attending Just Us counselling sessions with a Masters-level counselling intern for six months now. The first three sessions were free, and now they’re just $20 a session, which he finds affordable. The low cost made it possible for him to continue seeking the care he needed.
Kevin initially started working with Marjorie, who he credits with doing the "heavy lifting" in his journey. "Things clicked," he says, reflecting on their sessions together. When he transitioned to working with Nat, he noticed even more positive changes in himself. "I’m a different person now," he says. "I’m much more adjusted, and things are going better."
Kevin appreciated working with two different counselling interns and the different approaches that they took.
"I like the diversity of it. I work in construction so we are used to seeing tenacious fresh faces out of school. There’s something about recently-educated people who want to help. They’re eager,” he explains.
A New Outlook
Kevin says he’s found his counselling sessions with Just Us extremely beneficial, primarily because he’s invested in the process.
"The outcome of therapy is highly dependent on the patient," he claims. “You have to be honest with yourself throughout the process and do things that are suggested, even if they’re uncomfortable.”
With his substance use now under control, Kevin focuses on being the best version of himself. He’s working on managing the ups and downs of life, addressing childhood issues, and learning more about himself.
“It’s all been a really positive experience, even the uncomfortable conversations.” he says, “It’s so nice that it’s affordable, too, and hopefully more people hear about it and use it.”
*Name has been changed to protect his identity