I Am My Father’s Medicine

A Reflection on Men’s Mental Health and the Power of Being Present

Guest Post by Thao Vanessa Tran

Founder, Ditox

This is my Dad and I. Look at his smile.

You might not know it from this photo, but behind that smile is a man who once fled from war in his homeland, after years of imprisonment and "re-education." A man who has lived through things most of us will only ever read about.

As a Vietnamese refugee, my father, after escaping from prison in the 1980s, started a new life in Australia. His story, like many others, is woven with trauma, fear, survival, and resilience. For years, he had recurring nightmares – of being shot at, hunted down, held captive, and beaten. Even now, the ghosts of that past still visit him in his sleep.

And yet, when I show up joyfully, when I speak to him with light and laughter, his smile returns. I've come to realize something simple but powerful: I am my father's medicine.

Honoring Men's Mental Health 

Recently, I participated in the 26th International Families & Fathers Conference by the Fathers & Families Coalition of America, to pause and honor Fatherhood Support and Men's Mental Health. The annual event is a place to raise awareness, to express gratitude, and to encourage open conversations around fatherhood, familyhood, and men's overall mental wellbeing.

I've come to realize something simple but powerful: I am my father's medicine.

To my Dad, thank you for your strength, for choosing silence when times get too fraught with emotion, and for the sacrifices you made so I could be here today.

To everyone reading this: we all know fathers, brothers, partners, friends, and colleagues who might be carrying burdens in silence. This is a gentle reminder that mental health is not just important, it is essential.

The Stats We Can't Ignore

Here are some confronting truths:

• 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime

• 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety

• 79 percent of suicide deaths occur in men

• Men's suicide rates are 2.3 times higher than women

Mom and Dad, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

These aren't just numbers. These are people – someone's son, someone's partner, someone's friend. And often, they suffer in silence.

Why? Because many men were raised to believe that vulnerability is weakness, that talking about feelings is "soft," that they must carry everything alone. But it doesn't have to be this way.

What We Really Want for the Men in Our Lives

We want men to feel it's OK to not be OK. We want men to speak – not out of anger or shame, but with honesty and courage. We want men to be seen. Heard. Valued. We want our fathers to tell us their stories. To share how they fell in love. How they found the strength to start over in a foreign land. How they made it through the unimaginable.

My father doesn't always have the words. But he listens when I speak. And when I tell him I'm happy, he smiles. That's our connection. That's healing.

How to Support the Men Around You

Supporting men's mental health doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with presence. With care. Perhaps, with a conversation. Here are some steps we can all take:

• Check in with ourselves – Notice our own emotional state. You can't pour from an empty cup.

• Check in on our mates – A simple "How are you really doing?" can open doors.

• Start a conversation – Whether it's your brother, your dad, your coworker, your partner, or a close friend.

• Create safe spaces – Let them know it's okay to be vulnerable.

If someone you care about is struggling, remember: you can't force change, but you can hold space. You can listen. You can guide. And you can be a source of light.

Laughter Can Be the Best Medicine

Sometimes, the most healing thing you can do for someone is to make them laugh. To remind them of joy. To let them know that they are loved and not alone. If you're struggling, know this:

Asking for help isn't weakness – it's strength.

And if you're in a good place right now, be someone else's medicine. Share a meal. Share a laugh. Check in. Because every action, every word of support, can ripple in ways you may never fully understand.

To My Father

You taught me how to be strong without saying a word.

You taught me to smile, even when the night feels long.

You are the reason I'm here – and I carry your strength in everything I do.

Every time I live with joy, I am healing a piece of you.

And every time a piece of you is healed, so am I.

I am your medicine…and you are mine.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In life-threatening situations, call 911. For more resources, visit Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) where you can find support groups in your area.

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D3F 2026 Call for Entries Kicks Off this Fathers' Day!

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Thao Vanessa Tran is a passionate founder, creative, and advocate for digital wellness and mental strength, and creativity, working to reduce tech-related mental health issues globally. As founder of Melbourne, Australia-based Ditox, she is dedicated to making technology healthier and uses her lived experience to promote self-expression, mental strength, and social media positivity. Dedicated to connecting with individuals passionate about wellness, mental health, technology, and creativity, Thao has shared her insights at prominent international events, including Google's DevFest and the Fathers & Families Coalition of America Conference. She also is collaborating with the DADvocacy Consulting Group's international Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) to demonstrate how fatherhood stories, told through film and video, support positive father involvement. 

Thao holds a degree in Business & Commerce from Monash University, where she developed a strong foundation in business. With more than 15 years of experience in digital marketing and content strategy, she has worked with global brands, such as Qatar Airways, Keypath Education, and Maybelline New York. In addition to her work in digital wellness, Thao is a music artist known by the stage name tha0ie and she has performed in Melbourne, Los Angeles, and Vietnam. As a songwriter, pop rap artist, and performer, Thao brings her passion for self-expression and wellbeing to her music, which explores themes of mental health, relationships, and empowerment. Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.