Sheridan, USA October 04, 2025 Innovation Times Senior Correspondent
On October 10, the world will pause to observe World Mental Health Day, a day set aside to reflect, to educate, and to commit to creating better access to mental health resources. The theme this year, Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health and Access to Care in Times of Crisis, could not be more urgent. Across cultures and communities, men continue to suffer silently, carrying invisible scars that are rarely acknowledged. Among the contributors who will be speaking on this day is Dr. Michael Freeland, whose chapter “Silent Battles of Becoming a Man” in the groundbreaking anthology Men Don’t Cry has already begun to transform how readers view the journey of manhood and mental health.
Dr. Freeland’s chapter begins with a truth that reframes the narrative around pain: “Pain doesn’t define you; it refines you into the man you’re meant to be.” These words set the tone for a story that is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human. By sharing his own struggles, Dr. Freeland opens a door for men everywhere to confront their hidden battles with honesty and courage.
From his earliest years, he faced limitations imposed by others. He was told what he could and could not do physically. He endured rejection and the torment of not being accepted. Each wound left a mark, each doubt became part of his internal script. He carried these scars silently, like many men do, believing that showing pain meant forfeiting strength.
The hardest challenge, he recalls, was the transition from boyhood into manhood. For Dr. Freeland, this was not simply about growing older; it was about stepping into identity while carrying the weight of rejection and insecurity. Society had defined manhood as stoic strength, yet his reality was filled with questions, fear, and silence.
Through school, he managed to mask his struggles with routines: rising early, completing homework, going to church, and fulfilling chores. These habits provided stability but not clarity. They were survival strategies, not healing. When the time came to step into adulthood, that fragile foundation collapsed. Suddenly, he was asked to define his future, and uncertainty became a haunting companion.
Dr. Freeland describes the helplessness of that moment with piercing honesty. It was not just about choosing a career or path; it was about facing an undefined future without the tools, guidance, or support to navigate it. Silence was his closest companion, but silence brought no answers.
As he made choices, many of them shaped more by immaturity than wisdom, he soon realized that his life was spiraling. The more he tried, the more he failed. The more he failed, the deeper despair rooted itself in his soul. What began as mistakes hardened into habits, and those habits congealed into a lifestyle.
He paints a vivid picture of what it feels like to live life not with purpose but with survival as the only goal. This reality is not unique to him. Countless men live in this same cycle, trapped by poor decisions, haunted by past voices, and uncertain of how to break free. His courage lies in voicing what many keep buried.
The power of “Silent Battles of Becoming a Man” is not just in its vulnerability but in its honesty. Dr. Freeland does not present a polished, perfected version of himself. He tells the truth of what it means to stumble, to fail, to lose control, and to find oneself in the shadows of despair. This truth resonates because it reflects the reality of so many men.
And yet, his story does not end in defeat. In fact, it turns into a testimony of transformation. He reminds readers that while pain wounds us, it also refines us. It is not the end of the story but the beginning of a new chapter if we are willing to face it with courage.
Dr. Freeland’s voice is vital in this year’s mental health dialogue. At a time when men are pressured to suppress their struggles and maintain a façade of invulnerability, he offers a counter-narrative: healing is not weakness, but strength. Crying is not shame, but release. Admitting struggle is not failure, but the first step toward freedom.
In his chapter, he speaks directly to men who are still hiding behind silence. He assures them that they are not alone, that their struggles are valid, and that their journey can lead to wholeness. He also challenges communities to rethink how they support men, calling for compassion, patience, and understanding.
The book Men Don’t Cry amplifies this call. It is not simply a collection of stories but a movement to dismantle destructive myths of masculinity. Dr. Freeland’s contribution adds depth to that mission, exposing how manhood is not defined by perfection but by perseverance, honesty, and healing.
The impact of this message extends beyond men. Families, partners, leaders, and communities need to hear it as well. By understanding the battles men face, society becomes better equipped to create spaces where men feel safe to seek help, to speak openly, and to heal without stigma.
Dr. Freeland’s words could not be more timely. In times of crisis, men are often expected to carry burdens without complaint. Jobs collapse, families fracture, crises multiply, and still men are asked to remain unshaken. Yet his chapter reminds us that even in crisis, silence is not the answer. Breaking the silence is the only path to true resilience.
For young men transitioning into adulthood, his story offers a lifeline. It says: you do not have to have all the answers. You do not need to pretend to be unbreakable. Your worth is not tied to performance but to your humanity.
For older men who have carried decades of silence, his story offers freedom. It says: it is never too late to change. It is never too late to heal. The mistakes of yesterday do not define tomorrow.
Dr. Freeland’s voice is one of both empathy and authority. He has walked through pain, wrestled with identity, and stumbled in the dark. Yet he has emerged with wisdom that carries weight. His chapter testifies that every silent battle can be turned into a story of growth if we choose to confront it honestly.
The anticipation for his presentation on October 10 is high, as audiences prepare to hear directly from him during the World Mental Health Day summit. His words will undoubtedly echo far beyond the event, touching lives and inspiring men across generations.
As readers turn the pages of Men Don’t Cry, they will find not only Dr. Freeland’s story but a chorus of voices that together form a new anthem for masculinity, one rooted in truth, compassion, and healing. His contribution shines as a reminder that becoming a man is not about hiding scars but about embracing them as part of the journey.
For anyone seeking to understand men’s mental health, or for men themselves looking for courage, “Silent Battles of Becoming a Man” is essential reading. It is both mirror and map, reflecting the struggles of many while pointing toward the possibility of healing.
The book is available now in several formats:
On this World Mental Health Day, as the theme calls us to break the silence, Dr. Michael Freeland’s chapter offers the words and the wisdom we need most. His story proves that pain does not define us, it refines us. And in that refinement lies the possibility of becoming the men we were always meant to be.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Michael J. Freeland Jr. is an internationally published author, minister, and modern-day philosopher, best known for creating the Mental Real-Of-State philosophy, a framework dedicated to fostering positive mindsets and global transformation. Born on November 23, 1971, he holds a Bachelor of Divinity, a Master’s in Christian Leadership, and honorary doctorates in Humanities and Philosophy. As a licensed and ordained minister with the Kingdom Global Ministerial
Alliance, Dr. Freeland has been recognized worldwide for his leadership, humanitarian work, and commitment to peace, earning accolades such as the World Civility Ambassador Award, Person of the Year Award, and Community Ambassador Award.
His book, Free Your Land: Developing Your Mental Real-Of-State, reflects his dedication to guiding others through leadership, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. Through his work, Dr. Freeland continues to bridge communities, uplift individuals, and advance his philosophy of unity, peace, and positive transformation.
