Men's Mental Health: A Silent Epidemic

5 hours ago

3 min read

Take a moment to consider how many times you remember your father being vulnerable with you. Think about how often you’ve heard “man up” when a man is going through a tough time, or how society treats healthy conversations about the challenges we face as weakness.

The fact is that men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems compared to women. Men can hurt. My goal is to briefly explain the common barriers to men seeking help and offer a few practical ways men can manage their mental health independently.

The 'Man Up' Syndrome and its Detrimental Effects

Men don’t cry or complain, at least that’s what we’re told. We suppress our emotions to appear strong and resilient. We “man up,” and doing so discourages men from discussing their mental health issues. You could argue that it actually makes them worse.

The Silent Crisis: Men's Suicide Rates

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention found that men end their own lives at nearly 4x the rate of women. This statistic is a flashing danger sign that should tell the world that we need to come to a complete stop, stop moving past men struggling, and listen to us too. Click here to review the common signs of suicide.

Mental Health Tips for Men

Friends and family are not professionals. We are not trained to help someone who is considering suicide. In those cases, we should refer them to professionals.

Click here to call, text, or chat with the suicide hotline.

For those who are not dangerously depressed, there are ways they can be supported, and ways you can support yourself. Here are three strategies for moments of sadness that don't stem from serious trauma.

Encourage Open Communication

Make sure your friends and family know they can share their feelings without fear of judgment.

Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity is linked to better mental health outcomes. Research shows that exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel happier and more relaxed.

Take Care of Yourself

Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Avoid coping with addictive outlets such as drugs, alcohol, or gambling. Rather, consider activities with friends that engage you in the moment. Pickleball and basketball come to mind. To practice mindfulness, read The Top 3 Ways Men Can Practice Mindfulness to learn how.

Support for Your Relationship

I'm the only Certified Financial Therapist™, Accredited Financial Counselor®, and Fair Play Facilitator®, and I empower high-achieving couples with systems to manage money and the home as a team—drawing on decades of national leadership and lived experience.

Click here to learn more about how and when I can support you.

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Citations

"American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 'Suicide Statistics.' AFSP, https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/. Accessed 19 June 2023."

Good, G.E., Dell, D.M., & Mintz, L.B. "Male Role and Gender Role Conflict: Relations to Help Seeking in Men." Journal of Counseling Psychology, vol. 36, no. 3, 1989, pp. 295-300.

Griffith, D.M., Gunter, K., & Watkins, D.C. "Measuring Masculinity in Research on Men of Color: Findings and Future Directions." American Journal of Public Health, vol. 102, no. S2, 2012, pp. S187-S194.

"HelpGuide.org. 'The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise.' HelpGuide, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm. Accessed 19 June 2023."

Rutz, W., & Rihmer, Z. "Suicidality in Men—Practical Issues, Challenges, Solutions." Journal of Men's Health, vol. 6, no. 1, 2009, pp. 23-30.

Søvold, Lene E et al. “Prioritizing the Mental Health and Well-Being of Healthcare Workers: An Urgent Global Public Health Priority.” Frontiers in public health vol. 9 679397. 7 May. 2021, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.679397

Original post: 5/13/25

Updated post: 11/4/26