Greg Mike: Why is it critical for men to start having more open conversations about their mental health?
Dr. Ryan Breshears: That’s a great question. Men tend to delay seeking help more than women. Frankly, it’s a mortality issue. Men have higher suicide rates than women and tend to have a higher prevalence of substance abuse disorders. Anything we can do to get men talking is important.
Greg: Got it. Then, what are some early signs of stress-related mental health issues in adults that we should be aware of?
Dr. Breshears: Increased irritability, changes in mood, decreased interest in social engagement, and insomnia—both the inability to fall asleep and waking up mid-sleep—are all important signals that a mental health problem might be emerging.
Greg: That makes sense. So, how does treating your whole health play a role in supporting mental well-being?
Dr. Breshears: I think the days of talking about physical problems versus mental problems are over. We have a body of research and decades of science that shows the interplay between the physical and the emotional.
Greg: How is Wellstar addressing that?
Dr. Breshears: We’re making a concerted effort to remove barriers to access. So, for example, bringing behavioral health into primary care, cardiac care, pediatrics, women’s health …
We want to strategically integrate wherever patients are receiving care.
Greg: Now, what can workplaces do to create a culture where employees feel safe to seek mental health support?
Dr. Breshears: First, I think we have to pay attention to what’s causing stress to our employees and commit to resolving those issues. Secondly, we need to establish clear pathways so people can access support without all the stumbling blocks and delays they often run into.
Greg: How can we prioritize behavioral health as a key component of overall well-being?
Dr. Breshears: The answer lies in commitment and understanding. It’s the employer’s responsibility to promote a culture in which people can accomplish the aims of the business without compromising the physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being of their employees.
Greg: As a leader, I’m constantly learning. I’m trying to be more understanding, more compassionate, and a better communicator with my team.
Dr. Breshears: Yes. It starts with understanding an individual’s needs. What works for me is not necessarily going to work for you, but there are some common denominators. We’re social creatures, so having environments where people come in and feel good about their day-to-day interactions is important.
Greg: People spend so much of their lives working, you want it to be something that they’re inspired by and that they enjoy.
Dr. Breshears: So, how do you handle that work/life balance that everyone strives for?
Greg: I wish I could say that I was better at it. I’m very obsessive-compulsive and I’m always on; I don’t have an off switch. I’m trying to learn to set boundaries because I realize that it is important, and you can get burnout.
Dr. Breshears: How does that manifest for you?
Greg: It’s a lot about physical health, like you said. I’ll start getting sick and worn down and feeling lethargic and depressed. It means I’ve got to stop or slow down.
Dr. Breshears: So, how do you keep your energy levels up?
Greg: I try to stay physical. If I’m out on a golf course in nature doing something active, that helps. Running is huge. I feel like the goalpost is constantly moving and that’s something I struggle with. I’m trying to take the time to appreciate my accomplishments.
Dr. Breshears: When you were younger, what kind of thoughts were you battling?
Greg: I come from a divorced family, which was a big trigger. Art has always been therapy for me. It’s something that listens to me when no one else is around. In the beginning, a lot of what I drew was very dark; there were things in my head that I needed to get out.
Dr. Breshears: And how did your style change from dark to a positive light?
Greg: When I started painting murals around the world, my heart started to shift. I felt like I should paint something positive. The more I put color and brightness and positivity out there, the more I saw people react, which made me feel better. It was kind of like a positive snowball effect for me.
Dr. Breshears: Out of all your work, what piece best conveys your advocacy for behavioral health awareness?
Greg: Honestly, my Larry Loudmouf character. I was drawing this giant mouth all over and I had an idea: What if I put it on social media and see what’s on everyone else’s mind? It’s turned into this “Loudmouf says” project; the character is now the voice of something larger than me.
Dr. Breshears: Is there a correlation between how you’re feeling and what shows up in your art?
Greg: Color is very powerful when it comes to murals. It brings people a lot of happiness and positivity when you’re driving down a city street that’s all gray buildings and you turn a corner and get blasted with color. Just create what’s in your head and bring it to life.
Visit wellstar.org/mentalhealth
