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

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When is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month? Don’t feel bad if you’re unaware — people don’t discuss the subject, do they? So you know, people in the United States typically “recognize” it in June every year. In many other countries, including the UK and Australia, it occurs in November, coinciding with the popular Movember trend to support Men’s Mental Health Month better. Sadly, many people remain unaware, giving the impression that men’s mental health doesn’t matter.

Awareness is crucial for recognizing the most pressing mental health issues in men. Through conversations, people can more deeply understand themselves and move 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?

Progress in mental health is evident — few would argue that point. 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 past the stereotypes that 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. Or they should be. They’re supposed to be.

This dangerous mindset persists, despite 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.

Men’s emotional health and mental health struggles are seldom 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 crave power and will do anything to obtain 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 their masculinity. With it comes emotional hardness and aggressive behavior. 
• Anti-femininity: Embracing your feminine side is perfectly normal. However, toxic masculinity says men should reject these actions 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

We value independence highly 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 remains a persistent issue today. For example, how likely is your father to ask for help at Lowe’s or The Home Depot? 

As a result, when things get tricky, many American men fall victim to shrinking social circles and a lack of emotional support. They believe that, as a man, you should be able to address a problem yourself, without outside help. Anything less than a total display of independence is a sign of weakness.

Of course, these statements are far from being true. Even if you can overcome an issue without the help of others, asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Unfortunately, doing so is often taken as being frail and unmanly. Society should normalize asking for help in any situation, whether in your career, for mental stability or whenever else pain arrives.  

3. A Sense of Pride From Hardship

Speaking from the perspective of societal gender norms, the way the different sexes view challenges — specifically mental health ones — can differ substantially. Men are commonly seen as more solution-oriented, while women are assumed to need time to process things after experiencing them. Therefore, logic may prevail over feelings when the reverse provides better solutions.

That said, women are more inclined to ask for help. In male circles, there seems to be a somewhat perverse glamor ascribed to “dealing with it.” That phrase tends to come up time and again in male-dominated society circles. The “deal with it” mindset is actually more harmful than it might appear. Some guys believe they’re thriving because they live and deal with difficult situations. Sure, in sports, there’s often gain from this pain — but in real life? Not so much.

You may have observed in a friend or loved one that this strange phenomenon results in men taking pride in enduring hardship. While being independent and resilient are positive traits, going overboard with these to the detriment of your mental health is distinctly negative.

It can lead to strain on relationships and social ties, anxiety and depression. Instead of practicing this behavior, they should recognize an unhealthy pattern developing and seek its resolution. The absence of this proactivity is likely one reason for men’s mental health being so bad in the 21st century.

4. Men Downplay Their Symptoms

If you’ve spent time around people surviving with mental health issues, 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 because they tend not to communicate as well.

In the midst of deep depression, someone who is uncomfortable with being vulnerable might appear quiet and withdrawn. Others suffering through immense bouts of social anxiety might use every excuse they can to stay secluded. These signs are why you need to encourage your friends to share if you suspect there’s something wrong. Alternatively, you could suggest meditation and other mental health remedies. 

Experts have outlined how to approach loved ones when discussing mental health issues. Here are some of the phrases you can 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 the prevalence of men’s mental health issues. Statistics show that, in 2024, 20% of American men experienced some kind of mental illness during the preceding 12 months. Why is men’s mental health so often ignored? Some reasons include smaller social circles and stoic attitudes.

A man’s mental health status might not progress if the only other guys around him think the same way. These environments can contribute to the development of habits that lead to internalizing and marginalizing issues, which can literally be fatal if left untreated.

Would it be overstating matters to suggest that everyone could benefit from working with a mental health professional to understand their own condition better? It’s better to be proactive than reactive regarding your mental health.

Consider diversifying your time between your regular friends and others with different personalities. Perhaps make new friends in social spaces like bars, gyms, coffee shops and local sports teams — ones with proactive mental health habits.

 While your professional and personal lives can remain separate, think about forming stronger ties with your co-workers, especially if you enjoy a positive and proactive working environment. After all, who better understands how your working life affects your mental health?

Why Is Men’s Mental Health So Bad?

Researchers report worsening mental illnesses in North American men — the male suicide rate was almost four times higher than in women in 2023. However, specialists continue to diagnose significantly fewer males with depression and mood disorders. Why is men’s mental health so bad? Answering this question is critical to developing practical solutions. These reasons contribute to why men should practice mental health awareness now more than ever.

1. Screen Time Isolation

A new app pops up every day. While playing and interacting with some software is fun, it can tax your mental health. Unfortunately, people often replace face-to-face conversations with social media, thereby thwarting their genuine real-life interactions. Instead, they frequently curate unrealistic personas of themselves — for this reason, the new generation of digital natives may struggle to understand and participate in social situations.

Social media’s isolation is a probable reason that men’s mental health is so bad in 2025. When you observe others on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, you only catch a minuscule glimpse of their lives. Their shiny cars and expensive houses may create the illusion that their lives are impressive, but their realities could be far more challenging than your consumed tidbits. 

2. Lack of Help

It can feel otherworldly to speak to someone else about your mental health and stability, but without outside help, your symptoms may not ever improve. Sadly, the feelings of loneliness and helplessness affect many men. In its most updated statistics, the National Institute of Mental Health states that only 41% of men received any mental health treatment in 2022. What happened to the other 59%? A large percentage of those may be waiting for a push in the right direction. 

If you’re curious about assistance for your own mental health, consider speaking to a licensed professional. Otherwise, other, less drastic steps can help your state of mind. For instance, experts say outdoor exercise improves mood and reduces anxiety, so going for a run or a hike may be worth a shot. Grab some friends for a trek around a local state park or to kayak in the river. 

3. Hidden Issues

When you envisage mental health issues, depression and anxiety will likely spring to mind. However, there are many other hidden ones that you would do well to consider. Mental health encompasses all illnesses or syndromes that occur in the brain. As a man, you’re not immune to these. For example, body image issues are more prevalent in men than you may think.

If you aren’t happy with your body, you’re one of many feeling the same. The Better Body Confidence report found 23% of British men rarely or never feel confident in their bodies. This alarming statistic includes people who frequently go out in public. If you lack confidence in your body in public settings, you may end up resorting to more self-isolation, which can further deteriorate your mental health.      

Emergency Resources

Your mental health matters. Without hesitation, reach out to the following contacts when you need assistance.

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

Promoting Men’s Mental Health Awareness 

Men’s Mental Health Month occurs in June, alongside Flag Day and Pride Month, but people largely overlook it. Why is Men’s Mental Health Month seemingly unimportant? In fact, mental health — and not only in men — is more important to recognize than during any single month. Greater mental health awareness is necessary throughout the year to assist and provide resources to the guys — and girls — who need it.

If you need assistance in this essential area, consider consulting a mental health professional or reaching out to trusted loved ones and friends who understand your situation.

Originally posted 7/21/2023 – Updated 10/01/2025