Rae Bonney - Men's Mental Health and Societal Change
Breaking the Silence: Rae Bonney on the Untold Truths of Men's Mental Health and Masculinity.
In this profoundly moving episode of Active Kreative Perspectives, Valerie Ogorodnyk is joined by the incredible Rae Bonney—mental health advocate, dedicated champion for men's wellbeing, mother, and grandmother—whose powerful insights on raising boys, suicide prevention, and the deep roots of societal stigma will leave listeners reflecting long after the episode concludes. Rae is a bold advocate, a compassionate changemaker, and a fearless voice dedicated to men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Rae Bonney isn’t afraid to dive into tough conversations that society often avoids.
Rae courageously tackles the sensitive and crucial questions that often remain unspoken: What are we teaching our boys about masculinity? Why are men facing such alarming rates of suicide, often unrelated to traditional understandings of mental health? And perhaps most importantly, how can we, as individuals and communities, shift our attitudes and systems to support men and boys in ways that truly respect and nurture their emotional lives?
In a world where men are frequently taught to suppress emotions and face life's burdens in isolation, Rae’s conversation with Valerie calls for a compassionate re-evaluation of societal norms and parenting practices. They explore the consequences of a system that leaves men feeling disposable and undervalued, touching on deeply personal experiences and broad cultural observations.
"Men are not naturally predisposed to silence and emotional suppression—they’re simply not given permission to express," Rae states, highlighting the need for a cultural shift starting within homes, schools, and communities.
Listeners will find themselves deeply moved as Rae and Valerie delve into the complexities of intergenerational trauma, accountability, and the power each person holds to shape the next generation's perception of self-worth and emotional freedom.
If you care about the men in your life, if you're raising sons, or if you seek to understand the underlying issues fueling the silent epidemic of men's mental health struggles, this is a conversation that cannot be missed. Rae’s authentic passion and Valerie’s thoughtful inquiry combine to create a compelling call to action, one that urges us to not only listen but to actively participate in changing the narrative around men, masculinity, and mental health.
They explore hard-hitting questions:
🔸 Who’s truly accountable for how our boys are raised?
🔸 Why do we continue labeling men's suffering as mental health issues without addressing deeper, societal root causes?
🔸 How can we create environments where men feel heard, valued, and empowered rather than disposable?
🔸 Who holds responsibility for shaping the masculinity of our sons?
🔸 Why do we label men's struggles as "mental health" issues, when they're often a response to relationship breakdowns, financial stress, and loss of purpose?
🔸 How is the way we raise our boys today shaping the men they become tomorrow?
Join us as Rae shares deeply personal insights, provocative ideas, and challenges us all to rethink how we shape the future of men in our lives.
✨ Memorable Quotes from Rae:
"My approach is never to help, never to fix, never to give advice or never tell people what to do. It's always to create space."
Most male suicide has nothing to do with mental health problems as an origin. It’s about relationship breakdown, financial distress, custody issues."
"It's about respecting how masculinity turns up in your child—not squashing it, but celebrating it."
"It's not our job to make our kids into who we want them to be. It's our job to help them into who they already are."
🕒 Episode Highlights:
[00:00:38] Introduction to Rae’s advocacy.
[00:02:11] Rae's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming an advocate for men's mental health and suicide prevention.
[00:05:11] Raising sons differently and breaking societal norms.
[00:07:13] Suicide prevention: Why most male suicides aren't primarily mental health issues.
[00:08:09] Exploring feminism’s impact on men and societal roles.
[00:13:16] Rae’s approach to supporting men through crises.
[00:19:29] Importance of inherent curiosity and resilience.
[00:27:47] Rae’s transition into grandparenthood and its transformative power.
[00:30:08] Rae’s influential role in Global Action for Men's Health.
[00:38:48] Common trajectory leading men to crisis and suicide.
[00:44:21] The responsibility of parents in shaping future generations.
[00:50:08] The importance of celebrating masculinity positively.
