Men’s Mental Health: A Closer Look at Common Issues

When is men’s mental health month? Don’t feel bad if you’re unaware — it isn’t discussed enough. In the United States, men’s mental health awareness month is typically recognized in June. In many other countries, including the UK and Australia, it’s recognized in November, overlapping with the popular Movember trend to support men’s mental health.

Awareness is critical to acknowledging the most pertinent issues. With more conversations, people can better understand themselves and get closer to mental stability. Here’s the ultimate guide to men’s mental health and how to spread awareness.

What Are Common Issues Within Men’s Mental Health?

Few would argue we’ve made progress with mental health. We live in a progressive era where people are more inclined to talk about this admittedly challenging subject. Still, many of us have struggled to move on from the stereotypes which have stunted us for so long.

It’s a myth we see time and time again – that men are somehow impervious to mental health issues. They’re stronger than depression or anxiety. They’re somehow above the long list of disorders that affect millions of people every day. If they’re not, they should be. They’re supposed to be.

This dangerous mindset is persistent, even with the strides we’ve made in the past few decades. Of course, the belief that men don’t experience mental health issues – or should “tough it out” – is absurd.

Mental health struggles aren’t built the same. That said, each battle is worth considering through its own lens because of the varying experiences. Here are five men’s issues you may relate to. 

1. Division Through Toxic Masculinity

The term “toxic masculinity” describes a broader condition and encompasses several of the factors included in this list. It’s a term that makes a lot of sense but is often challenging to describe.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America says it’s “the way men are culturally trained and socially pressured to behave.” Typically, this behavior presents itself in these three forms:

• Power: Some men want power and will do anything for it. Toxic masculinity makes guys only feel worthwhile if their money, power and respect say so. 
• Toughness: Other guys must be as strong as football players to exert masculinity. With it comes emotional hardness and aggressive behavior. 
• Anti-feminity: Having feminine-leaning traits is normal. However, toxic masculinity says men should reject them entirely. 

You’ve probably seen examples of toxic masculinity expressed in fraternal hazing or the mistreatment of women by men you’ve known. It could also present as gender-wide negligence to acknowledge how profound mental health awareness is. 
So, how do you combat this toxic behavior? It’s vital to understand that men’s mental health issues are real, and they have significant consequences if untreated. Men who experience them need encouragement to speak out and learn how vulnerability can lead to a healthier mental state and a better quality of life.

2. The “I’ll Deal With It Myself” Mentality

Independence is highly valued in our society, particularly among men. It’s a gender norm that developed before we understood mental health and the repercussions of negligence. This “I’ll deal with it myself” mentality is still an issue today. For example, how likely is your father to ask for help at Lowe’s or The Home Depot? 

As a result, many American men fall victim to shrinking social circles and a lack of emotional support when things get tricky. They believe that, as a man, they should be able to address a problem independently. Anything less than a total display of independence is a sign of weakness.

Of course, these statements are far from the actual truth. Even if you can overcome an issue without outside help, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for it. Unfortunately, asking for help is often seen as frailty. Society should normalize asking for help in any situation, whether in your career, for mental stability or when pain arrives.  

3. A Sense of Pride From Hardship

Speaking from the perspective of gender norms, the way that men and women view challenges — specifically with mental health — is often different. Men are sometimes seen as more solution-oriented, while women need time to experience and process things. Therefore, logic may prevail over feelings when the reverse provides better solutions. 

That said, women are less discouraged from asking for help. In male circles, there’s a certain glamour ascribed to “dealing with it.” That phrase comes up again and again. The “deal with it” mindset is a recurring problem. Some guys think they thrive because their situations are difficult. Unlike sports, there might not be gain from this pain. 

As you may have observed in a friend or loved one, this phenomenon results in men taking pride in enduring hardship. Instead of practicing this behavior, they should recognize an unhealthy pattern and seek to resolve it. You could say it’s one reason why men’s mental health is so bad in the 21st century.

4. Men Downplay Their Symptoms

If you’ve spent time around people who struggle with mental health, you’ve probably seen what it looks like when someone downplays their symptoms. Men and women alike feel hesitant to burden their friends and family with their problems. Mental health issues can manifest in more subtle ways than physical conditions. However, this aspect of mental fortitude is more prevalent in men due to a lack of communication. 

Someone in a deep depression who is uncomfortable being vulnerable might appear quiet. Others who suffer from tremendous social anxiety might make up a reason not to come out. These occurrences are why you need to ask questions and prompt your friends to share if you suspect something is wrong. Alternatively, you could suggest meditation and other proven mental health remedies. 

Experts have outlined how to approach loved ones when discussing mental health issues. Here are some of the phrases you should use with your friends:

• “Who or what has helped you deal with similar issues in the past?”
•  “I’ve been worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing? If not, who are you comfortable talking to?”
• “How can I help you find more information about mental health problems?”

5. We Don’t Realize How Common These Issues Are

If you aren’t a researcher, you may have difficulty understanding how prevalent men’s mental health issues are. Statistics show about 20% of American men have any mental illness. Why is men’s mental health ignored seemingly every month? Some of the reasons include smaller social circles and stoic attitudes. 

If men are surrounded by other guys with similar thinking, they might not make progress. These factors contribute to the habits of internalizing and marginalizing issues that can be fatal when left untreated. It’s no overstatement to say that anyone would benefit from working with a mental health professional to better understand their own condition. Rather than having a reactive attitude toward mental health, we should be proactive.

Consider diversifying your friend group with differing personalities. You could make new friends in social spaces like bars, gyms, coffee shops and local sports teams. While professional and personal lives can stay separate, you should consider people from work. After all, who will better understand how work affects your mental health? 

Why Is Men’s Mental Health So Bad?

Researchers say mental illnesses in men are at their highest point since 2008. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate was about 3.2 percentage points lower than the 2023 numbers. So, why is men’s mental health so bad? Answering this question is critical before developing solutions. Here are a few reasons men need mental health awareness now more than ever.

1. Social Media Isolation

It seems like there’s a new app every day. While some software is fun to play and interact with, it can be taxing for a guy’s mental health. Unfortunately, people replace face-to-face conversations with social media, thus thwarting their worldview. Instead, they curate personas of themselves which may or may not be realistic. The new generation of digital natives may have difficulty understanding social situations. 

Social media’s isolation can also be why men’s mental health is so bad in 2024. When you see others on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, you only catch a glimpse of their life. The shiny cars and expensive houses may make their lives seem impressive, but the reality could be much more challenging than meets the eye. 

2. Lack of Help

Speaking up about your mental health and stability can be challenging. If you lack help, the symptoms might not get much better. Unfortunately, plenty of guys resonate with feeling alone and helpless. The National Institute of Mental Health said only 41% of men received mental health treatment in 2022.  What happened to the other 59% of men? They may be waiting for a push to get help. 

If you’re curious about mental health help, consider speaking to a licensed professional. Otherwise, you can do more minor things to help your mind. For instance, experts say outdoor exercise improves mood and reduces anxiety, so it’s worth a shot. Grab a few of your friends for a hike in a local state park or kayaking in the river. 

3. Hidden Issues

When you picture mental health issues, depression and anxiety are among the first to come to mind. However, there are other hidden issues you might not realize. Understanding men’s mental health involves every illness or syndrome that occurs in the brain. For example, body image issues are more prevalent in men than you may think. 

If you aren’t happy with your body, you aren’t alone. The Better Body Confidence report found 23% of British men rarely or never feel confident in their bodies. This statistic is alarming because people go out in public so often. Men unhappy with their bodies may resort to extra isolation, which can further deteriorate their mental health.      

Emergency Resources

Your mental health matters. Don’t hesitate to reach out when in need.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Crisis Text Line
• LGBT National Hotline
• Narcotics Anonymous
• National Domestic Violence Hotline

Promoting Men’s Mental Health Awareness 

June brings Flag Day, Pride and the first days of summer, but other occasions go by the wayside. Why is Men’s Mental Health Month ignored? More awareness is necessary to get help and resources to the guys who need it. If you need assistance, contact a mental health professional or reach out to trusted loved ones who understand your situation.

Originally posted 7/21/2023 – Updated 11/15/2024