Ending the Stigma and Supporting Men’s Mental Health

June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to shed light on an often overlooked issue: the mental health struggles that many men face in silence. For far too long, societal expectations have told men to "tough it out," "man up," or "keep emotions to themselves." These harmful narratives have created a culture of stigma that prevents men from seeking help when they need it most.

It’s time to change that.

The Weight of Silence

Statistically, men are less likely to seek mental health treatment, yet they are at higher risk for depression, substance abuse, and suicide. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women. This is not because men are inherently less capable of managing mental health challenges, but because they often feel they can't talk about them.

The expectation to be "strong" and emotionally reserved isolates many men from the support systems that could save their lives. This silence is not strength—it’s a barrier that can have devastating consequences.

Challenging the Stigma

Ending the stigma around men’s mental health starts with all of us:

• Normalize Conversations: Talking about feelings, therapy, and mental well-being should be as normal as talking about physical health. When men see others openly sharing their stories, it gives them permission to do the same.

• Educate and Advocate: Misunderstandings about mental health perpetuate stigma. Providing education about mental health issues, warning signs, and resources helps break down myths and encourages compassion.

• Rethink Masculinity: Strength is not about suppressing emotions—it’s about having the courage to face them. We need to redefine what it means to “be a man” by embracing vulnerability as a sign of true resilience.

How You Can Support Men’s Mental Health

• Listen Without Judgment: Sometimes, what a man needs most is simply to be heard. Create safe spaces for honest conversations.

• Check In Regularly: Reach out to the men in your life—not just when something seems wrong, but consistently. Let them know it’s okay to talk.

• Promote Professional Help: Therapy, support groups, and mental health services should be accessible and encouraged, not stigmatized.

• Be a Role Model: If you are comfortable, share your own experiences with mental health. Your openness can inspire others to speak up.

A Shared Responsibility

Supporting men’s mental health is not just a “men’s issue”—it’s a human issue. Everyone benefits when we foster a society where mental health is prioritized, stigma is dismantled, and no one feels they have to suffer in silence.

This Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s commit to breaking the silence, supporting the men around us, and building a culture where seeking help is seen as a powerful step toward healing.