Exploring the “Men” in Mental Health

Mental health challenges are universal — they do not discriminate based on gender, age, race, or religion. Although more than one in four men will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, many do not seek help. Coupled with statistics showing that more than four times as many men as women die by suicide each year, the state of men’s mental health is deeply concerning.

Common mental health issues affecting men include depression, anxiety, substance use problems, and behavioural addictions. While some of these conditions may be more frequently diagnosed in women, a significant proportion of men are affected — about 9% report having experienced a major depressive episode, and 10% report substance use disorders. Importantly, depression can manifest differently in men, often presenting as irritability, aggression, risk-taking behaviour, and substance misuse. In addition to substance-related issues, behavioural addictions such as gaming, gambling, and pornography use are also prevalent among men.

Unfortunately, many men do not receive the help they need. Several factors contribute to this. First, traditional masculine norms have long emphasized strength, stoicism, and self-reliance, often discouraging emotional vulnerability. As a result, men may be reluctant to open up about their struggles. Second, unhelpful and inaccurate beliefs about emotions and help-seeking — such as “emotions are irrational” or “needing help is a sign of weakness” — further hinder men from reaching out. Instead, they may try to rationalize their struggles and adopt coping mechanisms like “sucking it up” or “manning up.” Finally, systemic barriers — including a lack of mental health services tailored to men — can make it difficult for those who do seek help to find the right support.

So, how can we address these challenges?

One approach is to increase education and awareness of the specific issues men face when it comes to mental health. This can be done through enhanced mental health education in schools and workplaces, and by normalizing conversations around mental wellbeing in mainstream media and everyday life.

Another important step is improving the accessibility and availability of mental health services that are responsive to men’s needs. This includes training clinicians to understand gender-specific experiences and challenges, and expanding peer support or therapy groups specifically for men.

Finally, fostering strong, supportive social networks — through family, friends, and community — can make a meaningful difference. These networks can help men feel more understood and encourage them to seek help when needed.

Mental health awareness and literacy have made great strides in recent years. As we continue advancing treatment approaches, we are also learning how to better support specific populations — including men. Still, reducing the barriers men face in accessing support cannot be the work of mental health professionals alone. Communities and society as a whole play a crucial role in promoting open conversations and normalizing help-seeking behaviours.

For men, let us work towards a model of masculinity that does not reject emotions and vulnerability, but instead values openness, growth, and resilience.

References:

1. https://headsupguys.org/12-most-common-mens-mental-health-challenges/

2. https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health

3. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Male-Mental-Health.aspx

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9870072/

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31692401/

6. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1557988315619469