How To Support Male Mental Health For Men's Health Month (And Beyond)
June is Men’s Health Month, a time for conversations, fundraising, and advocacy related to the particular challenges facing male well-being. Many aspects of male health can be overlooked and undertreated, including mental health. For a variety of reasons, men tend to be less likely than women to seek professional help with mental illness. Increasing public awareness and acknowledgment of the psychological challenges men can face may make it easier for them to seek effective treatment.
Men may be reluctant to pursue mental health treatment due to gender-based stereotypes that may label emotional or psychological difficulties as “feminine.” They may also be socialized from an early age to downplay, conceal, and suppress their feelings. Still, mental health challenges typically remain prevalent among men, often leading to serious personal and social consequences. Working to raise awareness of this issue for National Men’s Health Month could increase the likelihood that men seek and receive professional assistance. One way for men to reach out for help may be through an online therapy platform.
Why mental health can be a men’s health issue
There’s a common perception that mental illness is mostly a “female” problem that tends to be rare for men. While studies may support the idea that psychological disorders could be more common among women, the differences usually aren’t huge. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) estimates that around 27% of women and 18% of men may experience mental illness at any given time. Therefore, mental illness may currently affect more than 29 million men in the United States alone.
Furthermore, the prevalence of mental illness in men may be underestimated due to male avoidance of treatment and gender biases in the way clinicians assess psychological distress. This could mean that the actual incidence of diagnosable mental health conditions among men is higher than current statistics can capture.
The impacts of male mental illness
The widespread lack of treatment for male mental health concerns can have serious consequences, both for individuals and for society as a whole. Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that men are approximately four times more likely to die by suicide than women, making up nearly 80% of total suicides.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7.
In addition to an elevated suicide risk, untreated mental health can lead to a large variety of negative life outcomes, including increased odds of the following:
- Employment difficulties
- Relationship instability
- Social isolation
- Homelessness
- Unhealthy substance use
- Incarceration or other legal consequences
Poor mental health can have physical consequences as well. Many common male health concerns, such as heart disease and erectile dysfunction, can be made worse by stress, anxiety, and depression. The relationship can also work the other way — disorders like prostate cancer may increase the risk of emotional distress and psychological symptoms.
The effects of male mental illness are also frequently experienced in the lives of those around them. Evidence suggests that men tend to be more prone than women to developing “externalizing” symptoms of psychological conditions, such as those listed below:
- Irritability, aggression, and violence
- Impulsive, risky, or reckless behavior
- Unhealthy substance use
- Disruptive behavior or antisocial behavior
Erratic and destructive behavior resulting from untreated mental distress could contribute to higher rates of accidents, violent conflict, property damage, addiction, and other societal problems.
Stigma and gender bias related to male mental health
Research suggests that lower rates of mental health treatment in men can be traced back at least partly to ingrained sociocultural ideas about gender roles. Men often sense that they’re expected to be more mentally resilient and “stoic” than women, and they may fear that discussing their emotional troubles could be perceived as weak or un-masculine.
These ideas may be reinforced by society at large. Many men report receiving less empathy from others when they seek support for their mental health, and portrayals of mental illness in popular media may be less sympathetic toward male characters.
In addition, many experts have argued that misguided, gender-based assumptions about psychological health can also influence treatment providers and care standards. For example, doctors may be less likely to recognize disorders like depression in male patients. This can make it harder for men to get the help they deserve, even when they seek it out.
How to support awareness of men’s mental health
Since the early 1990s, the US government has recognized June as National Men’s Health Month. Given the many challenges described above, this could be an ideal time to promote greater visibility, awareness, and understanding of the obstacles facing men’s psychological health. What can you do to offer support?
Talk to the men in your life about mental health
Personal interactions can sometimes be the most powerful way to spark change. By discussing concerns related to psychological well-being with empathy and compassion rather than scorn or fear, you can send the message that men’s mental health is not a shameful topic.
This may be particularly effective if you are a man because it can help to break down the expectation that men simply don’t discuss this issue. If you’ve had personal experiences with emotional difficulties or seeking mental health care, sharing your story could go a long way toward normalizing treatment in the eyes of other men you know. Even if you identify as female or non-binary, talking about the courage and willpower required to take responsibility for one’s mental health may assist in challenging popular narratives on this topic.
When someone you know opens up to you about difficulties they’ve been having, listening empathetically may help them be more open in the future. If they describe serious or persistent symptoms, you may want to encourage them to speak with a mental health professional.
Share mental health information online
If you have an online platform like a social media page or blog, National Men’s Health Month could be a prime opportunity to disseminate information on male mental health. Research articles, links to support resources, and first-person accounts from others who’ve experienced mental illness could all remind men that they’re not alone.
For those who are unsure how to find helpful materials to share, many nonprofit organizations and government agencies offer evidence-based information on this topic, including the following:
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Movember
- Man Therapy
The web can also be a great place to talk about your experiences with mental health or amplify the voices of men who’ve shared their personal testimonies.
Join or organize an event
Group events can raise the visibility of mental health issues and demonstrate solidarity for men who are in distress. Fundraising and awareness walks can serve as common examples, but you may be able to find many other kinds of events in your area. If not, there’s always the option to organize one yourself!
Creating a community event dedicated to men’s mental health could be a great way to bring people together to spark discussions and raise funds in support of causes related to male well-being. Here are a few possible event ideas:
- A screening of a documentary about mental health challenges
- An outdoor gathering, such as a cookout or relay race
- A group run or hike to raise money for mental health charities
- A panel discussion, book signing, or other event featuring mental health experts
Donate to or volunteer for a mental health charity
Many of the organizations listed above have a variety of programs aimed at improving awareness of men’s mental illness and expanding access to care. Giving them financial support can help these efforts and make it easier for men to get the treatment they deserve.
Along with the groups we’ve already mentioned, you could consider donating to organizations like:
- Face It, which is primarily dedicated to providing peer groups, retreats, and other support offerings for men with depression
- Tough To Talk, which typically works with local communities to cultivate spaces for men to discuss mental health openly
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which is an advocacy group that may be a good candidate for support, considering that suicide tends to be an issue disproportionately affecting men
Mental health organizations often have ways to volunteer your time in addition to donating your dollars. Providing practical, in-person support could be a great way to help.
Address your mental health
It may be easier for you to support others in navigating mental health challenges if you’ve taken steps to manage your own well-being. If you’re experiencing possible symptoms or even just mental and emotional stress, talking it over with a counselor can help you build resilience and effective coping skills.
You can seek support online if you’re not sure where to find mental health care in person. Remote therapy may make it easier to schedule and attend sessions, and it can be a valuable resource if therapeutic services are limited in your region.
Clinical trials have repeatedly found that psychotherapy delivered over the Internet can be an effective way to treat mental illness. A 2017 scientific review looked at the existing studies and concluded that online therapy could be “useful in treating mental health and medical illnesses with psychiatric comorbidities,” as well as cost-effective for patients. Chatting with a therapist could help you become a better source of support for male friends or family members living with mental illness.
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