Why men need community, creativity more than ever

Sentari Minor

Submitted photo/Men’s Arts Council

Art has a way of disarming us. It doesn’t demand that men ‘open up’ in the traditional sense. Rather, it gives them another language entirely. Whether it’s painting, music, writing or storytelling, creative expression offers a pathway to process stress, anxiety and emotion without judgment. Even small acts, like journaling or engaging in a creative hobby, have been shown to support mental well-being and help people process their experiences. That’s the power of camaraderie.”

OPINION — While there is often a focus on men’s physical health, mental well-being is equally important. 

The National Alliance of Mental Illness knows the body needs care and attention, but so does a man’s emotional and mental well-being. Men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women, underscoring the urgent need to break the silence, ask for help and build a support system through community engagement.  

For too many men, “good days” are endured quietly rather than shared openly.

As someone who has spent my professional life building spaces at the intersection of culture, community and impact, and now entering my second year as chairman of Men’s Arts Council, I’ve seen firsthand through my own mental-health journey how stigma and isolation continue to be among the most under-discussed threats to men’s mental health. 

In my nearly six years as an executive of an Arizona mental health company that integrates behavioral health services into primary care, I’ve gained invaluable insight with the unique challenges of men being top of the list.

Unfortunately, many men do not prioritize their mental health. We’ve taught generations of men to be providers, protectors and performers, but we have not taught them how to be vulnerable to one another.

And that absence is costing us. It leaves us asking where men are supposed to find connection and community. Often, the answer is nowhere.  

That’s why spaces intentionally designed for men, spaces rooted in trust, shared experience and creative expression are no longer optional. They are necessary. When men gather with other men in meaningful ways, something powerful happens when the armor comes off. Conversations deepen and healing begins.

And one of the most effective entry points into those spaces is art.

Art has a way of disarming us. It doesn’t demand that men “open up” in the traditional sense. Rather, it gives them another language entirely. Whether it’s painting, music, writing or storytelling, creative expression offers a pathway to process stress, anxiety and emotion without judgment.

Even small acts, like journaling or engaging in a creative hobby, have been shown to support mental well-being and help people process their experiences. 

That’s the power of camaraderie. That’s the power of shared creative space and something our community needs more of. 

The reality is, 1 in 5 people will experience a mental-health condition each year. Yet stigma, pride and a lack of accessible, culturally relevant spaces keep too many men disconnected from the very support systems that could change and save their lives.

As the National Alliance of Mental Illness puts it, “It’s Not Weak to Speak,” and I believe small steps can lead to significant changes. Simple things like starting a conversation can spark transformation, sharing resources to help reduce the stigma and creating safe spaces for men to open up without judgement.  

We must invest in community-based solutions that bring men together, not just in crisis, but in everyday life. We must normalize brotherhood as a form of wellness.

And we must recognize that creativity is not just an outlet, it is a tool for survival, healing and growth, because more “good days” don’t happen by accident. They are built through connection, through expression and through the courage to show up for one another.

The Men’s Arts Council is doing just that by bringing men together to support the Phoenix Art Museum while cultivating relationships and finding ways to destress and embrace fun in this busy world.   

Sentari Minor is president of the Men’s Arts Council of Phoenix Art Museum, a nonprofit supporting museum programs and activities. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.