Tough love is a prime example of the philosophy ‘the ends justify the means’. As Michael Scott says in the hit TV show, The Office, “Tough love is when you have to be mean to somebody because you love them. And the more you love a person, the meaner you have to get.”

“I’m scared that life will pass me by,” a close friend confided in me recently over a cup of coffee. “I’m afraid that I’ll wake up one day, realise I’m 50 years old, and wonder where all the time has gone.” It is a valid worry, and one I personally relate to. Deep down, I am also worried that I’ll #hustle and #girlboss my way through life without stopping to smell the flowers.

I used to keep my feelings, thoughts, and opinions to myself. I never explored my emotions thoroughly before. I would push them aside whenever I interacted with people or worked because I didn't want anyone to know the challenges I faced at work, except for my closest friends. Writing has become a powerful tool for me.

These books, written by Asian authors, specifically address mental health in the context of different Asian cultures, where often health is neglected to achieve high standards of education and work quality. If you identify with that, or have been looking for mental health stories that you resonate with culturally, here are some brilliantly crafted stories that are unforgettable.

According to Perpetua Neo on MindBodyGreen, we’re often always noticing and analysing the bad stuff that happens, and these tend to constantly trigger our nervous systems. Seeking out glimmers therefore makes us feel safer and calmer.

While men in today’s society do often occupy positions of power and privilege in many aspects as a result of the patriarchal system, it's important for us to recognise and acknowledge that the same system can affect men negatively too.

Let’s explore further on some factors in which the patriarchy hurts men's mental health and why it is essential to challenge these harmful norms and embrace a more inclusive approach to gender equality.