On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Mark Gogolewski, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and filmmaker, urges men to seek help for addiction and mental health struggles in his powerful new book How to Be OK (When You’re Supposed to Be OK But You’re Not).
How To Be Ok (When You’re Supposed To Be Ok But You’re Not)
Mark Gogolewski, a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor, filmmaker, and father of two, is urging men to seek help for addiction and mental health challenges, such as feelings of emptiness and void. As the author of the newly released self-help book How to Be OK (When You’re Supposed to Be OK But You’re Not), now available in the U.K., Gogolewski sheds light on an often-ignored crisis affecting men, particularly high achievers, who hesitate to openly discuss their struggles.
Beyond his work as a mental health advocate, Gogolewski is the CEO of Realization Films, where he produced the documentary Buried, which ranked as the sixth most-watched title on Netflix U.S. during its debut week. The documentary is now being adapted into a feature film, Wall of White, by Hollywood icon Martin Scorsese, with Gogolewski serving as executive producer. Behind these accomplishments lies a deeply personal story of overcoming addiction, which he candidly shares in his book to highlight the urgent need for greater attention to men’s mental health challenges.
Gogolewski points out that many men lack the emotional vocabulary to express their pain, a gap rooted in upbringing and compounded by a mental healthcare system ill-equipped to address this issue. This makes it harder for men to navigate challenges later in life, as they struggle to articulate everyday difficulties. He advocates for building stronger communities where checking in and normalizing conversations about mental health become standard practice.
Research underscores the severity of the issue, showing that men face higher rates of illicit drug and alcohol addiction, as well as untreated mental illness. Studies indicate men are twice as likely to binge drink as women and three times as likely to die from alcohol-related causes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, men are more likely to use nearly all illicit drugs, leading to higher rates of emergency department visits and overdose deaths.
In How to Be OK, Gogolewski shares his own journey through addiction, detailing his experiences with unconventional treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ayahuasca after finding traditional therapy and 12-step programs insufficient. He emphasizes the importance of finding therapists who understand men’s unique needs and encourages exploring alternative approaches to recovery. Gogolewski stresses that acknowledging struggles and discussing them with trusted individuals is a critical first step toward healing.
Through his book and advocacy, Gogolewski is working to destigmatize men’s mental health struggles, urging men—and those supporting them—to seek help and foster open dialogue to address this critical issue.
Mark Gogolewski
Mark Gogolewski is a serial entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor, filmmaker, and father of two based in Tahoe City, California. An avid skydiver with more than 3,700 completed jumps, Mark has achieved notable success in the tech industry, including the sale of Denali Software to Cadence Design Systems for $315 million and Nvelo to Samsung for an undisclosed amount. As the CEO of Realization Films, he produced the documentary “Buried,” which became the sixth most-watched title on Netflix US during its first week of release. Hollywood’s legendary Martin Scorsese is now adapting it as “Wall of White” with Mark serving as executive producer.
Find more from Mark Gogolewski now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/43Padq5
Paperback: https://amzn.to/44SCTQ6
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