From Awareness to Action: Building a Local Movement for Men's Wellness in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has a reputation for rugged individualism, military strength, and mountain resilience. These are genuine sources of pride. But they also create particular challenges when it comes to men's mental health—a culture where asking for help can feel like admitting weakness, where vulnerability seems at odds with the independent spirit that defines this community.
It's time for that to change. Not through abandoning our values of strength and resilience, but by expanding our understanding of what those qualities actually mean. Real strength includes acknowledging when you're struggling. True resilience is built through connection, not isolation.
Colorado Springs is ready for a movement that makes men's mental wellness accessible, practical, and community-centered. And that movement is already beginning.
Why Local Matters
National statistics about men's mental health are important, but they remain abstract until we see their manifestation in our own community. Approximately 19% of men nationwide experienced mental illness in 2023, yet only 40% received treatment (SAMHSA, 2024). In Colorado Springs, that translates to thousands of men—our neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family members—struggling without adequate support.
The male suicide rate nationwide is approximately four times higher than that of women (CDC, 2024). While we don't have suicide data specific to Colorado Springs, Colorado consistently ranks among states with higher-than-average suicide rates, with men accounting for the vast majority of deaths.
These aren't just statistics—they represent real people in our community. The veteran struggling with PTSD. The entrepreneur overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. The father dealing with depression but unsure where to turn. The young man feeling isolated despite being surrounded by people.
"Communities with strong social bonds are safer, healthier, and more resilient." — U.S. Surgeon General, 2023
Local movements matter because they meet people where they are—geographically, culturally, and relationally. National organizations provide valuable resources, but they can't create the face-to-face connections that transform communities. That requires local leadership, local gathering spaces, and local commitment.
What's Missing in Traditional Mental Health Models
Colorado Springs has mental health resources—therapists, counseling centers, crisis hotlines, hospital programs. These services are essential and save lives. But they're not sufficient.
Traditional mental health models are typically:
Reactive rather than proactive: They engage people after crisis rather than building wellness before struggles escalate
Clinical rather than relational: They focus on diagnosis and treatment rather than community and connection
Individualized rather than collective: They address mental health as an individual problem rather than a community opportunity
Siloed rather than integrated: They separate mental health from other aspects of life like career, relationships, physical health, and personal identity
Men, in particular, often resist traditional clinical approaches. Many men won't seek therapy until reaching crisis—and 40% of men report they would only seek professional help if experiencing suicidal thoughts (Priory Group, 2024). By the time they reach that threshold, preventable suffering has already occurred.
We need additional pathways—ones that meet men before crisis, that feel accessible rather than clinical, that integrate wellness into daily life rather than treating it as a separate domain requiring specialized expertise.
The INHERENT Self Model
This is why we founded INHERENT Self—to create a different door into men's wellness. Not a replacement for traditional mental health services, but a complementary approach rooted in lifestyle, community, and proactive support.
Our model recognizes that many men's first step toward wellness won't be calling a therapist. It might be investing in personal style that boosts confidence. Joining a community where other men talk openly about challenges. Attending an event where mental health resources are presented as normal, accessible tools rather than emergency interventions.
We integrate multiple elements that research shows support men's mental wellness:
Community connection: Regular gatherings through the INHERENT Gentlemen's Society where men build authentic friendships and support networks
Practical resources: The Inherent Wellness Exchange provides tools, information, and connections to professional services when needed
Identity development: Helping men align their external presentation (style, routine, habits) with their internal values and goals
Accessible education: Content, conversations, and workshops that demystify mental health and normalize help-seeking
Local presence: Creating physical spaces and regular touchpoints throughout Colorado Springs where men can connect
This integrated approach addresses the reality that mental wellness isn't separate from the rest of life. It's influenced by how we present ourselves, the routines we maintain, the communities we're part of, and the sense of purpose and identity we cultivate.
Building Momentum in Colorado Springs
The movement is already underway. We've witnessed the power of bringing men together for authentic conversation. We've seen how normalizing vulnerability creates permission for others to be real. We've watched friendships form that provide ongoing support long after events end.
But we're just beginning. To truly transform men's mental health in Colorado Springs requires sustained effort, multiple entry points, and widespread cultural shift. It requires:
Regular gathering spaces where men can connect authentically, not just occasionally but as part of routine life
Business and organizational partnerships that bring mental health resources into workplaces where men spend most of their time
Young men's programming that reaches adolescents and college students before problematic patterns become entrenched
Family engagement that involves partners and family members in supporting men's wellness
Professional network connecting men to therapists, coaches, and other resources when they're ready
Public conversation that challenges stigma and expands our community understanding of men's mental health
Measurement and accountability that tracks our impact and ensures we're actually making a difference
Your Role in the Movement
Here's the truth about grassroots movements: they succeed only when individuals commit to being part of the change they want to see. Awareness alone changes nothing. Action—even small, local action—changes everything.
If you're a man in Colorado Springs, your participation matters. Every time you show up at a gathering, share authentically about your experience, reach out to another man who's struggling, or simply model that it's okay to prioritize your mental health—you strengthen this movement.
If you're a partner, friend, or family member of men, your support matters. Encourage the men in your life to engage with resources. Challenge stigma when you encounter it. Celebrate men who choose vulnerability and authenticity.
If you're a business leader, your leadership matters. Bring mental health resources into your workplace. Create cultures where it's safe to discuss challenges. Model that success and wellness aren't mutually exclusive.
If you're someone who works with young men—teacher, coach, youth leader, mentor—your influence matters. Teach emotional literacy. Model healthy masculinity. Create spaces where boys and young men can develop the skills they'll need for lifelong wellness.
The Next Chapter Starts Now
INHERENT Self is launching with intention and momentum. We have a clear vision, passionate leadership, and growing community support. But the real measure of success will be whether we can create sustainable change—whether, five years from now, Colorado Springs has become a place where men's mental health is openly discussed, proactively supported, and integrated into community life.
That future is possible. But it requires your involvement.
Take the next step:
INHERENT Self Launch Event – October 30 at CO.A.T.I Uprise: Be present for the official launch of our movement and meet other men committed to change
Inherent Wellness Exchange Launch – November 5 at Anthem Music Enterprises: Discover the resource hub that will serve our community for years to come
INHERENT Gentlemen's Society November Gathering – November 21 at 123 N Tejon St: Experience what authentic men's community feels like and become a founding member
INHERENT Self Podcast – Subscribe now: Stay connected to conversations, stories, and resources between in-person events
These aren't just events—they're the foundation of something larger. They're the beginning of a sustained commitment to transforming men's mental health in Colorado Springs through community, connection, and accessible resources.
The Invitation
Movements begin with individuals saying, "I'm willing to be part of this." They grow when those individuals invite others. They succeed when enough people commit that the effort reaches critical mass and creates self-sustaining cultural change.
We believe Colorado Springs is ready. We believe the men in this community—regardless of age, background, or current struggles—deserve better than silence, isolation, and shame. We believe that together, we can create a local culture where men's mental wellness is valued, supported, and integrated into daily life.
The question is: Are you ready to be part of building that future?
Visit inherentself.org right now. Learn about our programs. Mark your calendar for upcoming events. Join the movement. Your community needs you—and you might be surprised how much you need this community.
From awareness to action starts with one decision: showing up. We'll see you there.
