How To Strengthen Your Well-Being During National Men's Health Month

In the United States, June is Men's Health Month, an annual event that has been celebrated since 1992. Men’s Health Month is dedicated to raising awareness of concerns that affect the well-being and healthcare of men and boys. Sometimes, life gets hectic, and people put their healthcare needs aside. This can have serious consequences. Below, we’ll look at some ways that you can care for your physical and mental health and celebrate National Men’s Health Month.

Understanding men's barriers to healthcare

Men face a number of barriers that can affect their health, some of which are related to beliefs about masculinity and health. Based on research, here's some of what we know:

Men are often less likely to go to the doctor

Dental and eye care are also less common

In a 2022 survey, 71% of men hadn’t had a routine eye exam in the past 12 months, and 63% hadn’t had a dental exam.

Missed doctor's visits can strain relationships

According to one survey, 43% of men say they've gotten into an argument with someone, such as a friend or romantic partner, about going to the doctor, and 42% say they've withheld medical information from loved ones to avoid an argument. Also, 44% say they've been persuaded to go to the doctor by a life partner. Concerns such as cost and fear can hold individuals back from getting care, so these are matters to keep in mind when promoting men's healthcare.

Men are less likely to reach out for mental health and behavioral health support

Just as men are less likely to get the physical health care they need, they are often also less likely to reach out for mental health support. For example, men are more likely to die of chronic liver disease, some forms of cancer, suicide*, and motor vehicle accidents.

Further, one article on men’s health in The Lancet highlights the differences related to alcohol and tobacco use: “Some health risks are behavioral, particularly tobacco and alcohol consumption, which contribute strongly to life-expectancy differences. Information from 2016 shows a striking gender-based gap: 54% of men and 32% of women globally reported being current drinkers, and 34% of men and 6% of women reported smoking tobacco daily in populations older than 15 years.”

*If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free resource available 24/7 in both English and Spanish and can be reached by dialing 988.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Celebrating National Men's Health Month

Below are some ideas for how you can celebrate National Men's Health Month:

Provide the facts

You might start by discussing what you know about men's health and men's health disparities. This may help to break the stigma surrounding mental and physical healthcare and promote healthcare screenings. Depending on your age, healthcare screenings may include prostate cancer screenings and colonoscopies.

Get missed checkups

Have you missed a doctor, dentist, or eye appointment? You can finally get caught up by making any missed appointments. This may lead to greater peace of mind and prevent complications in the future.

Encourage healthy lifestyle factors

In addition to getting checkups and screenings, you can implement self-care and healthy lifestyle practices. Managing stress, striving for work-life balance, engaging in physical activity, getting enough sleep, and limiting alcohol consumption are all examples of how to do this.

Advocate for affordable healthcare

Although difficulty covering the cost of healthcare is a matter that affects people of all genders, 45% of men say that they've missed or postponed medical treatment due to cost.

To learn more about National Men's Health Month, visit menshealthmonth.org. You’ll find distributable graphics about men's health and healthcare needs.

How to overcome barriers and strengthen your health

Upon gaining awareness of the barriers men often face regarding health and healthcare, you might wonder what you can do to strengthen your health. No matter the time of year, here are some steps you can take:

Take inventory of your lifestyle and self-care habits

We all have diverse self-care needs. However, some standard recommendations and commonalities apply to many people. Some areas to look at include:

Sleep

The Mayo Clinic recommends trying to get approximately eight hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep can raise your risk of motor vehicle accidents, which men are already at a higher risk for, alongside other mental and physical health concerns, such as complications related to depression and diabetes.

Stress management

Stress is a pervasive issue in the United States. If stress is persistent, it can heighten the risk of many health conditions and concerns, including heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Coping skills, a work-life balance, and support from others, including social support and mental health professionals, can help.

Nutrition

Nutrition supports your physical and mental health. If you are interested in working with a dietitian to get individualized recommendations, a primary care provider may provide you with a referral, or you may be able to contact your insurance company to search for a dietitian.

Physical activity

Physical activity can reduce stress and support your overall physical and mental health. 

Work-life balance

Hobbies have been shown to boost mental and physical health. You might consider assessing your work-life balance to ensure you have time for yourself, your loved ones, and the things you love.

Get up-to-date on routine appointments and screenings

Consider your last routine appointments, such as dental appointments and general physical exams. If there is a screening you are overdue for, you might consider trying to get an appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes, online patient portals allow you to see when your last routine screenings and tests were. You can also contact your doctor for your records and ask if you're unsure.

You don't need to repress your feelings

Repressing your feelings can lead to mental and physical health challenges. Mental and physical health often go hand-in-hand, and social support can promote both mental and physical well-being. More than 20% of adults in the United States live with a mental illness, but everyone can benefit from caring for their mental health, regardless of whether or not they have a mental health condition. Social support can be found via friends, support groups, and other spaces. 

Therapy can also provide a safe space to talk about what's going on in your life, and it is one of the leading treatments for several mental health concerns, including stress, difficulty in relationships, mental health conditions, or anything else that affects your emotional, psychological, or social well-being. 

Try online therapy

If you feel hesitant to visit a therapist’s office, you might consider online therapy, which research has demonstrated to be just as effective as in-person therapy. There are several ways to find a therapist to work with online, and one of the easiest is signing up for an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy with BetterHelp has been shown by research to effectively support those who facing mental health challenges, including depression. With BetterHelp, you can connect with a licensed therapist via phone, live chat, or videoconferencing at a time that works for you.

Over 25,000 licensed, experienced mental health professionals provide therapy through BetterHelp, so you can be matched with a therapist who has experience in your specific areas of concern. If you need to stop services or change therapists at any time, BetterHelp makes it easy. Online therapy through BetterHelp is often more affordable when compared to in-person therapy services, and financial aid may be available for those who need it.