June is National PTSD Awareness Month, like May, which was National Mental Health Awareness Month. That’s important to talk about, even in the cigar community.
I struggle with depression and mental health decline. I very likely have ADHD, but my depression is more deeply rooted than that. For reasons I won’t get into, my mental health and self-esteem have long been tied to my past. There’s a chance I may even deal with CPTSD or complex PTSD, a mental health condition that’s sustained over prolonged periods, usually due to repeated trauma, domestic violence, or abuse from someone you trust.
Why am I talking about all of this? While May is Mental Health Awareness Month, June is actually National PTSD Awareness Month. I suppose you could argue they are very similar, but either way, it’s a prescient time to talk about the subject. It’s also important to understand that men typically resist talking about not just mental health but problems they are facing.
But it’s very important to talk about mental health and even more important to seek help when you’re struggling. While I’m not a doctor, uniquely qualified to say this, I do have first-hand experience. Sinking into a depressive episode is extremely taxing and exhausting. The world around you seems to go dark, it seems as if no one cares, and as if life is hopeless.
It’s so easy to go lie down, in the dark, alone, and block out everything. Turning off your interactions with the outside world, especially with those you care about, is dangerous. That’s when you need support the most. However, most people avoid discussing these issues. The internalized pain. The despair. The weight of all. It’s all yours to bear and yours alone — except that’s not entirely true.
Cigars, in general, are a great equalizer and an excellent social activity. Even if the people you’d spend time around seem brazen or brash from the outside, so many are open to helping one another, even just through raw conversations. I’ve never met a more welcoming, more supportive community. Maybe not so much on X (Twitter) — slight jest there, maybe, possibly — but as a community in general, cigar-enthusiasts are always willing to share, support and guide.
That’s also the reason why we see some great causes in the space. The League of Fat Bastards is an excellent example. They make some great cigars, but also they’re focused on improving mental health awareness for men. Cigars for Warriors are about donating cigars, and sending support to our active troops. The entire industry has a history of substantive charitable contributions, which can really make a difference.
The point is just to start talking about it more. That’s all. That’s mostly what building awareness is. It’s to normalize the experience, eliminate stigmas, and tell those folks who are struggling it’s totally okay to talk about it all and to seek out support and guidance.
I’m of the mind that this world should be predicated on love, not hate. Call me a fool. Call me a hippie. But I’ve been there deep in the mental solitude, struggling, gasping for air and I wouldn’t wish that on even my worst enemy. It’s time we found a way to be more compassionate about mental health issues and we found a much better way to deal with the problem — rather than forcing each other to cope alone.
At the very least, if you’re out there and you’re struggling, find me. I’m willing to talk about it. If you’re fortunate and you don’t struggle with these issues, maybe help a brother or sister of the leaf out when you have a chance?
Okay, I’ve said my piece. Now I’m going to light up. Stay smoky y’all.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
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