A heartfelt LinkedIn post by Mumbai-based marketing professional Neel Jadhav has opened up an important conversation around men’s mental health and the silent battles they often fight. In his post, Jadhav recalled a friend confiding that “his biggest flex in life was that once he wasn't paid a salary for three months, yet his family never found out.” Despite the financial setback, the man still managed to cover his parents’ medical bills, pay his children’s school fees, and even get the house repainted, making sure life at home went on as usual. But behind that resilience, Jadhav said, was a cost no one could see. “I know the secret price he paid. How he aged suddenly. How he lost hair, gained weight. How he became quiet and withdrawn. All because of an invisible weight, only he could see.” For Jadhav, the story highlights a larger truth, that telling men to simply “speak up” about their emotions is not enough. “That is just putting the burden back on them,” he wrote, adding that often what men need most is for someone to notice their struggles without being asked, because, more often than not, they won’t voice it themselves. He reminded readers that these silent strugglers aren’t strangers. “They are our fathers, uncles, brothers, husbands, sons and friends. They could also be your boss, your subordinates, or the one who brings you tea.” Jadhav concluded the post with a powerful note: “We can talk about men’s mental health all day long, but it will not make a difference if we don’t pay attention to the quiet ones.” Check out the post: His post struck a chord on LinkedIn, with many users sharing their own reflections and adding to the discussion. A CEO commented, "You're also talking about the early startup founders like us too. It’s so lonely at the top that you can’t even talk about issues/ finance with your family. You know the answer is always “better to take up a job.” Thank God for close friends who can understand even when you don’t say anything!!” Another user commented, “Such a harsh reality man..Only experience can understand this to the core..Silently Dedicated and Focused when the weight is on, Plate is full, Judgement is always knocking the Door, Noise and Clutter everywhere, But we keep standing as Solid as Rocks.” A third person wrote, “Its not something we can proudly say to family & friends! Most of others think this as our only duty (yes,it is our duty) but recognising it & appreciating it will make us happy.”
