Meet Counselor Boomer
At River’s of Hope Counseling, we have a diverse team of distinguished counselors. One of our newest counselors is Jasper Boomer. He is an Army Veteran with 15 years of experience in Behavioral Health, specializing in substance use addiction, Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression. Boomer notes that he was influenced to pursue a career in counseling after experiencing his own ups and downs. He is very passionate about helping every client to reach their best mental health. His military experience has played a significant role in his ability to connect with clients recovering from PTSD. He also shared that being able to counsel veteran service members and their families adds an extra level of fulfillment because he knows about the specific stresses of military life.
National Men’s Health Awareness Month
June is National Men’s Health Awareness Month. This current awareness month is an amalgamation of the initial Men’s Health Month established in 1992 by the Men’s Health Network and the Men’s Health Week established by Congressman Bill Richardson in 1994.
When asked about why men’s health awareness is essential, Boomer shared these sentiments, “society has informed men that they don’t need to do all of the things they are supposed to do. Men often focus on physical strength and don’t look at mental health. It is really time to renew our health, and we have to take care of all of our areas of health.”
The significance of Men’s Health Awareness Month
According to a study done by the Cleveland Clinic, around 60% of men admitted that they don’t visit their general physician unless they are seriously ill. This fact is even more alarming when understanding that, on average, men have a five-year shorter life expectancy than their female counterparts. In addition to men’s reluctance to visit a general doctor, stats about mental health care are also very low. According to a study done by Statista in 2019, less than 12 percent of men in the U.S. received mental health treatment or counseling.
Mental Illness in Men
Discussing mental illness in men can be a difficult task. There are multifaceted factors that can contribute to poor mental health. The first being biological factors. Men who have low testosterone are at a heightened risk of experiencing mental illness. A poor diet or certain medications can also influence low testosterone. Another contributor to poor mental health is environmental factors. These areas usually include stress involving work, finances, and personal relationships. Cultural and spiritual factors may also play a role in men’s possible hesitancy in dealing with mental illness.
Stigma and Toxic Masculinity
Destructive phrases like “men don’t cry” and “man up” are some of the contributing factors that sway men from seeking outside help or medical attention. The rise of toxic masculinity rhetoric has exposed many areas that need change. During their most impressionable years, emotional suppression taught to boys often leads to adult men who cannot healthily express their feelings. Prolonged emotional suppression can lead to uncontrollable outbursts that can put men and their loved ones at risk if not handled appropriately. It is also important to note that poor mental health can also lead to physical ailments if left untreated.
What to Know About Boomer’s Counseling Style
Boomer shared this about his counseling style, “I want potential clients to know that I do things one day at a time and always ask God for guidance in helping clients through their mental health journey.” When asked about how he makes new counseling clients feel comfortable, he shared,
“I like to break the ice for first-time counseling clients by opening with a joke.” I’ll say, how do you feel? If they respond by saying they’re okay, I usually follow up with; you’re doing great, fantastic, outstanding? Then they’ll go ‘whoa whoa whoa, I’m not doing that well.’ That usually makes them loosen up and laugh.” Throughout Boomer’s counseling journey, he has had a lot of impactful sessions with clients. He shared this about his experience, “I enjoy working with couples and helping them to see each other’s point of view and getting them back on one accord. That’s always a great feeling. I also love getting updates from past clients who tell me that their session with me really helped them to get to a better place.”
Boomer on Joining the Rivers of Hope Counseling Team
Boomer joined Rivers of Hope Counseling this past May. He shared this about why he decided to join the ROH team, “before I joined the team, I loved the reputation that Rivers of Hope Counseling had. I really liked Charmaine’s counseling style. So when I saw that they needed someone, I was excited to apply, and I am glad to be a part of the team.”
Rivers of Hope Counseling is so grateful to have Boomer as a new member of our counseling team. Learn more about Boomer’s counseling specialties and see if he is the right counselor for you today.
Do you need hope for better days ahead? Contact an ROHC therapist today!