Too many of us wake up, grab a screen, and never really put it down. Then we wonder why we feel anxious, fried, or disconnected from the people right in front of us.

In this episode, Jonathan and Dr. Mark break down the link between screen time and mental health, for adults, teens, and kids, and offer simple ways to build healthier tech habits without pretending phones don’t exist.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• How constant screen time affects stress, sleep, and emotional regulation
• Why kids’ and teens’ brains are especially vulnerable to phone and social media overuse
• What “dopamine hits” and notifications actually do to our nervous system over time
• How multitasking and “doom scrolling” quietly drain creativity and increase burnout
• Practical ideas for screen-free zones, tech boundaries at home, and “90s weeks”
• How to take an honest inventory of your own screen use and make small, realistic changes

We’re not here to demonize phones or shame anyone. Screens are part of life. The goal is to understand how they’re shaping our mental health, and what you can do to move the needle even 10% in a better direction between now and January 1.

Helpful Resources

We’ll include research and a few simple tools in the show notes to help you:

• Reflect on your current tech habits

• Set age-appropriate guidelines for kids and teens

• Experiment with “analog” practices that give your brain a real rest

If you find this conversation helpful, share it with a friend, leave a rating and review, and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

Every share helps us simplify mental health for more people who need it.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Mark Mayfield is a licensed clinician, but this podcast does not provide therapy. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional in your area. If you need help, and don't know where to turn to find suitable care, reach out. We can help point you in the right direction.
If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, contact your local emergency number or crisis hotline immediately. You’re not alone, and support is available.

Men are struggling silently — and most people have no idea how deep it runs.

In this episode, Jonathan and Dr. Mark Mayfield have one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever released.

They break down why so many men feel pressure to “stay strong,” how that leads to emotional constipation, and why opening up feels risky even when life is on the line.

They also share parts of their own stories, including their suicide attempts, the moments that pushed them to rock bottom, and what it took to rebuild.

This episode may feel uncomfortable at times, but it’s worth sitting with. Whether you’re a man or someone who loves one, this conversation is for you.

You’ll walk away with practical tools, powerful questions, and a clearer understanding of how men can move from silence to strength.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “man up” doesn’t work and actually makes things worse
• How ignored emotions turn into anger, burnout, and shutdown
• Why men fear embarrassment more than vulnerability
• The identity confusion around “toxic masculinity” and over-correction
• Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for emotional health

• How to support a man who doesn’t have the words yet
• Why talking about feelings isn’t weakness — it’s strength

Statistics Don't Lie

• Men die by suicide about four times more than women
• Men make up 78–80% of all suicide deaths
• After breakups or divorce, men may face up to 8× higher risk of suicide compared to married peers
• Men are significantly less likely to seek treatment for depression or mood disorders

Resources Mentioned

• The Path Out of Loneliness — Dr. Mark Mayfield
• The Path to Wholeness — Dr. Mark Mayfield
• The Loneliness Workbook (self-paced, practical emotional skills)
• Additional tools and resources:
  https://www.mentalhealthmadesimple.life

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education only. It is not therapy or a replacement for mental health treatment.
If you are in crisis:

• In the U.S., call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org

• Outside the U.S., check your local emergency resources

• If you need help finding a therapist, reach out and our team will help you get connected

You matter. Seeking help is strength.

This week, Jonathan and Dr. Mark jump into one of the most confusing parts of emotional health: Why you feel lonely, why being alone isn’t the same thing as loneliness, and why solitude might actually be the thing your mind has been avoiding… but your soul desperately needs.

But first—an update.

Mark shares the story of how a simple relay race (yes, a relay race) turned into a blown Achilles and a forced season of slowing down. That honest moment becomes a doorway into today’s topic: how life has a way of pushing us into unwanted stillness… and how we can learn from it instead of fighting it.

From freak accidents to Final Destination-level childhood stories to the difference between doom-scrolling and actual solitude, this episode stays practical, relatable, and real.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The state of being vs. the state of feeling lonely

• Why hopelessness sneaks up on you before you notice it

• How to know whether you need people or space

• The difference between reflection vs. rumination

• Why scrolling doesn't count as “alone time”

• How to build healthy solitude without shutting the world out

• How to identify the inputs that drain you

• • How to recharge before life derails you

  
  

  🔧 Practical Takeaways (Made Simple)

  • Pause before reacting: Ask “Do I need connection or do I need space?”

  • Learn your emotional battery: Irritability, procrastination, missed deadlines, overreacting—those can all be loneliness signals.

  • Use solitude for truth, not punishment:

    • Reflection asks: “What’s true?”

    • Rumination asks: “What’s wrong with me?”

  • Build micro-solitude: Be present on a walk, doing dishes, or sitting outside without constant distraction.

  • Check your inputs: More screen time ≠ more rest. Doom scrolling isn’t solitude.

• • Community isn’t always local: Sometimes your people live across time zones and screens—and that still counts.

  
  

  💬 A Line to Remember

  “Loneliness will drain you. Solitude, when you choose it, will refill you.”

  🌐 Resources + Connect with Us

  This episode is designed to help simplify your mental health journey and give you language for what you’re feeling.

  Explore tools, resources, and upcoming content at:
  www.MentalHealthMadeSimple.life

  ⚠️ Important Disclaimer

  Mental Health Made Simple is hosted by Dr. Mark Mayfield, a licensed clinician, and Jonathan Collier, a practitioner who speaks from lived experience.

  This podcast is for education and support only. It is not therapy, it is not a diagnosis, and it does not replace working with a licensed mental health professional.

  Therapy is valuable and often essential. If you’re struggling, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a therapist in your area.

  If you’re in crisis, thinking about harming yourself, or don’t feel safe:

  • Contact your local emergency number or crisis hotline immediately.

  If you need help finding a therapist, reach out to us at
  www.MentalHealthMadeSimple.life and we’ll help you explore next steps.

  ⭐ If This Episode Helped You…

  Please take 10 seconds to:✔ Rate the podcast✔ Leave a quick review✔ Share the episode with a friend

  Your support helps us reach more people who need simple, honest mental health clarity.

  
  

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