Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota —
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and because there’s so much stigma surrounding men’s mental health issues, this is an important month to raise awareness and spread awareness.
Laurel Gram, 5Number The Bomb Wing Integrated Primary Prevention Office chief recalled her time working as a clinician at Minot Air Force Base in 2003. At the time, most of her patients were men, simply because there were more men than women in the military. She noticed that while men would seek help for a broken leg or arm, it was not common for them to seek help for mental health concerns.
Grams finds that even today, men in their late 20s and older are less likely to seek help because of the generational stigma surrounding mental health.
“We’re seeing 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds bringing this up, usually in a casual way,” Grams said. “In my opinion, I think society is becoming more responsive and accepting of men saying, ‘Hey, I’m really stressed out and I want to get on my knees.'”
A cultural shift with a more positive attitude towards men’s mental health means a new generation of men are more comfortable reaching out to get the support they need.
“For me, from 2003 to 2024, I’ve seen a huge change in how men think about mental health,” Grams said. “Minot Air Force Base is letting people know that if they need help, it’s OK, and we’re going to help them get help.”
Grams reflected that commanders are much more open to seeking chaplaincy, mental health and True North services than they were 21 years ago. Grams said it’s great for commanders to be vulnerable and lead by example to let their Airmen know it’s okay to ask for help.
“I think it gives young airmen permission to say, ‘If my commander says that I’ve had these experiences and I’ve sought these services and it’s helped me, that might be an avenue I should consider,'” Grams said. “We still struggle with that because there’s that stigma and in the military, people worry about how it will affect their careers. Just because you’re diagnosed with a mental illness doesn’t mean you’re immediately fired. A lot of mental illnesses can be managed with regular medication and it doesn’t affect your career.”
Grams spoke about the importance of listening when it comes to those struggling with mental health. She said it’s important to listen to the unheard, ask questions beyond the surface, and get information that most people won’t share. For example, when asking someone about their day, Grams suggests that whether they answer “good” or “bad,” you should ask why. Asking what makes their day good and what makes their day bad helps them feel heard and cared about.
“I think people are getting better and better at it and understand the importance of it,” Grams said. “One of the key aspects is making those connections and listening to the people around you.”
Over the past three years, Grams has noticed that people are recognizing the idea of listening and building connections, and leaders are focusing on their employees.
According to suicide statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men were 3.85 times more likely to die by suicide than women in 2022, and firearm deaths accounted for more than 54.64 percent of all suicides.
When comparing statistics between men and women, suicide rates are much higher in men because the negative stigma surrounding men’s mental health prevents them from seeking help, leading them to use more lethal methods, Grams explained.
Thankfully, Grams believes we’ve entered an era in which the Air Force, and society at large, is much more accepting of men seeking mental health resources without feeling like it’s diminishing their masculinity.
“Perceptions have changed, values have changed,” Grams said.
Grams encourages those who want to make a positive impact to reach out to friends, family and teammates to make themselves heard, and to look out for loved ones and let them know someone is there for them.
Anyone concerned about a service member’s well-being can recommend one of the many resources available at Minot AFB, including True North, the Integrated Primary Prevention Office, Military OneSource or the 5th Medical Group Mental Health Office. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or in a crisis can call 988.
