Why Is Men’s Mental Health Month Ignored?

Mental health issues do not distinguish genders — people do. Both men and women experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, cope with trauma and stress, and suffer from abuse and stigma. Although depression¹ and anxiety² are diagnosed twice as often in women (likely due to more frequent medical screening), suicide rates are 3-4 times higher³ among men. The situation is deeply alarming: 74% of all UK suicides and 76% of all cases in Canada are male. On top of that, a lot of mental conditions in men usually go unrecognised or underdiagnosed — due to societal pressure and masculinity stereotypes. 

Some of the initiatives that help relieve the pressure and break stereotypes are Men’s Health Months. In the U.S., Men’s Mental Health Month is celebrated annually in June, and globally, there’s also Men’s Health Month, also known as Movember. Every November, millions of people grow moustaches and hold events to raise awareness. Does it help to break free from cultural influences, replace avoidance with confidence, and address the silent crisis of men’s mental health? This piece explores statistics, causes, barriers, and best practices targeted at seeking psychological help before it’s too late.

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Men’s Mental Health Month and Movember: What’s the Difference?

Mental Health America (MHA) has recognised June as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949. During the first month of summer, MHA and partner organisations release toolkits of educational materials, collaborate with brands and communities, and organise outreach activities like workshops and film screenings. This 76-year-old tradition took a new turn in 2003, when the new Movember (Moustache + November) movement appeared. 

This initiative started in Australia, created by a group of enthusiasts who care about men’s health as a whole, beyond mental health alone. According to the Movember website, the movement aims to “change the face of men’s health.” The idea was created by Movember Foundation, an independent charity institution which finds and funds innovative research for male health. In 22 years, the movement reported 1320 funded projects worldwide. There are three men’s health issues they keep in focus: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. As the founders note, “from humble beginnings and 30 mates back in 2003, the Movember movement has grown to be a truly global one, inspiring support from over 5 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas.”

The main goals of both projects, Men’s Mental Health Month and Movember, are to raise awareness, break the stigma, fund local initiatives and support groups, highlight personal stories, and reshape the perception of masculinity. Some people don’t shave their moustaches for the whole month, some donate to crowdfunding projects, and others discover new tools for support.

The Current Landscape — Data & Reality Check

Men’s mental health numbers tell a worrying story: available research shows that many men delay looking for help until they’re in crisis. Compared to key indicators in women, signs of mental issues in men often stay unrecognised — by the patients themselves. Here are the most striking findings: 

• ADAA (Anxiety & Depression Association of America) reports that nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety (approximately 194 million). However, less than half of them (around 100 million) seek or receive treatment.
• In a survey by the Priory Group among 1000 men in the UK, 40% of respondents have never spoken about their mental health. The most commonly cited reasons are “too embarrassed” and “negative stigma”.
• The Movember Movement in Canada found that 26% of Canadian men likely postpone seeing a psychotherapist. Participants said that if they were feeling down or agitated more often than usual, they would either wait over a year or not make an appointment at all if these feelings arose.
• Compared to women, men are less likely to access psychological therapies — only 36% of referrals to NHS (National Health Service in the UK) Talking Therapies are for men.
• Men are far more likely to go missing or sleep rough (87% of rough sleepers are men⁴). Moreover, men are 3 times more likely than women to overuse alcohol and drugs⁵, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) occurs in 36% of men with depression.

Taken together, self-destructive behaviour, lack of general knowledge about the importance of mental health, superficial attitude toward the first signs of disorders, and cultural pressure lead to dramatic consequences. The most telling fact is that more than 75% of all suicides⁶ in the US, UK, and Canada are committed by men.

Why Is Men’s Mental Health Overlooked?

The answer can be found on different levels, for instance, because of the masculine culture shaped over centuries, the lack of public institutions and local therapists, and stereotypes about ourselves that we can’t get rid of. Pressure pushes many men to find irrational ways to cope⁷ with the symptoms — substance use, avoidance, self-harm, and adopting aggressive or withdrawn behaviours.

Cultural Norms & Toxic Masculinity

Does “boys don’t cry” sound familiar? Many of the beliefs about what it means to be a man are shaped by toxic masculinity. This concept of exaggerated traditional male roles and traits can create temporary role models, but most often, it does more harm than good. According to masculine stereotypes, stoicism is an ideal behaviour strategy. Men are expected to:

• Always stay in control of actions and emotions
• Be the providers, productive and financially stable
• “Man up” and “tough it out” in complicated situations 
• Suppress the feelings and act strictly rationally
• Be ashamed when showing signs of vulnerability 

As Kevin Foss, a licensed therapist, explains, “toughness, anti-femininity, and power are the core tenets of toxic masculinity.” It opposes mental and physical health treatment and treats ignoring pain as a sign of resilience.

Stigma, Silence & Stereotypes

There are only a few role models and positive examples of men who openly discuss mental health issues in the media. And this is a part of a broader societal stigma — the belief that men should not talk about their mental health challenges. According to a 2020 study in the American Journal of Men’s Health, stigma can heavily influence⁸ men’s choices towards destructive coping mechanisms instead of psychotherapy. Many prefer aggression or substance use to help suppress the emotional pain. This results in worsened symptoms, greater health risks, and longer recovery times.

In general, there is a lot of violence and aggression in cultural expectations of boys⁸: they are acculturated to play rough, break the rules, and show dominance. Since childhood, the public expects men to be strong, provide for themselves and their families, not to cry (otherwise, the person risks being labelled a “crybaby”), not to complain, and not to show any signs of weakness. А well-known phrase “boys will be boys” normalizes this approach.

In a paradigm where mental health and emotions in men equal weakness, there is no space for psychotherapy or open talks about emotional experiences. Some men simply don’t know where to start and what to look for when it comes to finding treatment or support. Others prefer to focus on physical health and strength to heal the mind through the body and excessive exercise.

Structural & Institutional Limits

There is a lack of men-specific scientific studies and mental health programs — partially due to underfunding or the priority given to other research subjects. The Movember Movement and other foundations like Heads Up Guys are working to close the gap and invest in men’s health research. However, the results are hardly comparable with regular institutional support.

Another challenge is diagnostics. Experts and studies show that the same condition can manifest very differently⁹ in men and women. “Depression, for instance, is frequently associated with sadness, crying, and withdrawal in women — symptoms that align with traditional diagnostic criteria,” notes social work professor Nafees Alam, PhD. “In men, however, depression can present as irritability, aggression, risk-taking behaviours, or emotional numbness.” In his opinion, men typically struggle to fit into a mental health system built for women.

During Movember or Men’s Health Awareness Month, brands like Gillette, Amazon, and Pringles actively participate in spreading the word about mental health conditions. Unfortunately, when this month passes, the number of promo campaigns and the width of media coverage decrease.

Psychological Barriers in Men

In recent studies focused on depression, researchers have observed that men have more difficulty¹⁰ processing loss and grief over their lifetime. Financial problems, physical health issues, job loss, relationship breakdown and other stressors can contribute to the feeling of grief and become overwhelming.

Among the fundamental reasons, therapists name male alexithymia¹¹, also known as emotional blindness. This phenomenon is characterised by challenges in labelling, recognising and describing one’s emotions. High alexithymia levels are more frequent in men: 7-16% vs 4-9% in women. 

In addition, male psychological “habits” also act like a barrier. Delayed help-seeking¹² and under-reporting symptoms due to stigma makes it normal to hold the feelings back and avoid intimate conversations about health. The fear of judgment and vulnerability only increases the pressure over time. That’s why many men often tend to self-medicate (including alcohol and drugs) rather than reach out to a therapist.

Consequences of Ignoring Men’s Mental Health

As mentioned earlier, protective behaviour and the fear of being judged among men can have harsh consequences: emotional numbness, damaged relationships, untreated mental health conditions, and up to four times higher³ rates of suicide. In a review “Males and Mental Health Stigma”⁸, researcher Benita Chatmon, PhD, lists the following aftereffects:

• Substance abuse. Men are nearly 3 times more likely to overuse alcohol and drugs, which can lead to addiction and even more health problems. 
• Worsening of depression and anxiety. Over time, the symptoms become more severe and persistent, resulting in chronic health issues.
• Increase in overall psychological distress. Mental health struggles can impact everyday activities, work, productivity, relationships, and overall sense of happiness.
• Issues with dating and interpersonal intimacy. Undervalued mental health issues can lead to misunderstandings in relationships, withdrawal, secondary trauma, and even social isolation.
• Poor physical health and greater risks, especially in chronic pain, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.  
• Issues with interpersonal violence. 
• Discouragement in seeking help.
• Homophobia and intolerance.

As a clear example of overlooked symptoms and negative outcomes, psychotherapist and LCSW Kaytee Gillis shares the story of her patient Jason. He has struggled with anxiety, but wasn’t able to find a provider whom he felt comfortable with. “In the years Jason spent looking for a therapist, he reports feeling no other choice but to use substances to cope with the negative feelings he dealt with daily,” says Kaytee. “As a result, providers often turned him away, telling him he had a substance use or anger issue rather than a mental health problem.” In perspective, cases like this can lead not just to health issues and broken relationships but also to job loss, financial struggles, and even legal problems.

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Emerging Trends, Innovations & Best Practices

Although there are relatively few positive examples of men frankly talking about their mental health, they do exist. One of them is Prince Harry, who was struggling with grief after his mother’s death. He co-founded Invictus Games, a foundation to enable open conversations about trauma among veterans and promote male mental wellness in general through sport.

Comedian Trevor Noah, actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, footballer Tony Adams are among other celebrities who have spoken publicly about depression, self-care, men’s health awareness, and mental health stigma. Public “strong men” figures sharing their moments of vulnerability may encourage a lot more men to follow the example.

In addition to personal initiatives, numerous programs and support groups have emerged in recent years. The industry of interventions tailored to men is growing. The most notable projects include: 

• Heads Up Guys. An online community and men’s mental health resource focused on male depression and suicidal ideation. It helps to find a therapist with a proper background and raise donations for men’s health educational initiatives.
• Buddy Up. A communication campaign aimed at men’s suicide prevention. Founders call it “a call to action to men, by men.”
• Men’s Sheds. A worldwide organisation creating safe and friendly environments for men to develop new interests and work together on helpful projects. Their own research suggests that 88% of regular Men’s Sheds attendees feel better connected.
• Man Therapy. An educational project featuring Rich Mahogany, a fictional therapist who explores a variety of mental health topics in a digestible way. This program was created by a team of suicidologists, mental health experts, marketing strategists, and technologists to destigmatise mental health through humour, straight-shooting, and practical tools.
• Manup? Free therapy sessions tailored to men’s needs. Sessions are held both online and offline, covering a wide range of topics from irritability and anxiety in men to parenthood and self-confidence. The Manup? team also promotes weekend Camp Climbs — recreational mountain trips for male groups.

What Can Be Done — Actionable Steps 

In public discussion, this question has no direct answer. However, experts, organisations, brands and media make overlapping suggestions. All of them can be divided into levels: 

Individual & Community Level

• Recognise, normalise, and name your emotions
• Accept all your emotions as valid and valuable 
• Don’t be ashamed to express your feelings and fears
• Talk confidently about mental health and personal experiences 
• Think of self-care habits as necessary, not stigmatised practices
• Seek help and consult a therapist before you feel in crisis
• Encourage friends and colleagues to share their stories
• Develop listening skills when someone asks for support
• Use neutral language without masculinity labels (“man up”, “boys don’t cry”, etc.)
• Find or create a small circle where you feel completely safe
• Remember that even one person’s effort makes a huge difference

Employers & Organisational Level

• Make physical exercises a part of your team’s weekly plan: interventions like morning yoga or stretching classes improve overall mood by boosting endorphins, and can prevent mental health issues
• Encourage corporate sports teams, but avoid ultra-competitive or individualistic sports that build machismo
• Share books, films, and educational materials through online & offline events: you’ll find some examples in ADAA’s Bookstore
• Participate in raising donations for men’s mental health research
• Support national awareness programs and male-focused projects
• Start an in-house peer-to-peer support community to discuss mental health openly
• Join social media trends and special projects to increase media coverage 
• Highlight positive role models among colleagues and management
• Make access to mental health providers easier (or included in corporate insurance)
• Become a partner of Movember, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Man Circles or other initiatives

Policy & National Level

• Support and promote national men’s mental health campaigns
• Allocate resources specific to men’s mental health programs in education and healthcare
• Integrate mental health literacy into schools and workplaces
• Consider funding local projects and research on men’s health
• Launch trainings for primary care providers on male-specific symptoms
• Expand telemedicine services to make therapy more accessible for men
• Create grants for research centres and media focused on men’s mental health 
• Encourage companies to track mental health metrics at work
• Partner with media platforms to develop national destigmatising campaigns
• Control prescription medications to reduce drug abuse as a coping strategy 

The next steps may seem overly ambitious or difficult to implement, but even a few successful examples and cases can be inspiring enough to spark global change.

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FAQ

Dr. Anna Steinzeig, PhD

Neuroscientist, Workplace Wellbeing Strategist and Public Speaker

Expert Board Member

Men’s mental health is often overlooked because many men are taught to stay tough and quiet until they break. This article talks about Men’s Health Awareness Month but highlights that a single awareness month doesn’t change outcomes on its own. Distress in men can look different than we expect: it’s not just sadness, but irritability, numbness, withdrawal, risk-taking, or self-medicating. Lack of awareness about these discrepancies often delays help. The practical takeaway is: we need to talk about mental health issues in men year-round, and support them in a way that feels accessible to men.