Mental health has become a growing topic of conversation over the last decade—and for good reason. Awareness campaigns, therapy resources, and destigmatizing conversations have helped many people speak up about emotional struggles. However, one group continues to face unique challenges in this conversation: men.
So, when is Men’s Mental Health Month, and why is it so important?
Let’s explore the meaning behind this observance, the mental health issues men face, and how this dedicated time can be a powerful opportunity for healing, hope, and change.
When Is Men’s Mental Health Month?
Men’s Mental Health Month is observed in June, aligning with Men’s Health Month in the United States. While Men’s Health Month highlights overall wellness—including physical fitness, nutrition, and preventative care—June is also a critical time to spotlight men’s mental and emotional well-being.
Throughout the month, mental health organizations, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups host events, share educational resources, and promote conversations aimed at breaking the stigma around men seeking help for mental health issues.
In addition to June, International Men’s Day on November 19 often includes a focus on men’s mental health, highlighting how societal expectations, masculinity norms, and underdiagnosis impact the well-being of boys and men worldwide.
Why Focus on Men’s Mental Health?
While mental illness affects people of all genders, men are less likely to seek help or speak openly about emotional challenges. This silence often comes at a high cost.
Here are some key reasons why focusing on men’s mental health is essential:
1. Men Are Less Likely to Ask for Help
Research shows that men are far less likely than women to seek therapy, counseling, or mental health support. This isn’t because men don’t experience emotional pain—it’s because social expectations often tell them not to show it.
Phrases like “man up,” “boys don’t cry,” and “tough it out” reinforce the idea that vulnerability is weakness. As a result, many men internalize their struggles, feeling pressure to suppress emotions rather than deal with them in healthy ways.
2. Men Are at Higher Risk for Suicide
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men account for nearly four out of five suicide deaths in the U.S. Men are more likely to use lethal means, and their attempts are more often fatal.
The link between untreated mental health conditions and suicide is strong. Depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use—when left unaddressed—can lead to devastating outcomes.
3. Mental Health Affects Every Area of Life
When men struggle silently with mental health issues, it can affect their work, relationships, physical health, and overall quality of life. High levels of unaddressed stress or depression may lead to job burnout, sleep problems, anger issues, or addiction.
By raising awareness during Men’s Mental Health Month, we create space for men to take their emotional health seriously—and give them tools to heal and grow.
Common Mental Health Issues Among Men
Mental health struggles don’t always look the same in men as they do in women. Symptoms may show up differently or be masked by behaviors that don’t immediately appear linked to mental illness.
Some of the most common mental health challenges men face include:
Depression
Men may experience depression as irritability, fatigue, anger, or restlessness—rather than just sadness. They may also try to “numb” their feelings through work, alcohol, or distractions.
Anxiety
While anxiety is often associated with worry and panic, men may feel it as tension, overthinking, or even physical symptoms like muscle pain or gastrointestinal issues.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD affects many men, especially veterans, first responders, and survivors of violence or childhood trauma. Symptoms may include flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional withdrawal.
Substance Use Disorders
Men are more likely to use alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. Substance abuse often develops when emotional pain is left untreated.
Anger and Emotional Regulation
Some men have difficulty expressing sadness or vulnerability and may instead show emotional distress through outbursts, aggression, or emotional shut-down.
Recognizing these patterns is a critical step in helping men access the care they need.
Breaking the Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health
One of the biggest barriers to men receiving help is the stigma around mental health. Cultural norms and gender expectations can make it hard for men to admit they’re struggling or to see therapy as an option.
Here’s how we can start breaking that stigma:
1. Encourage Open Conversations
Creating safe spaces for men to talk—whether in friendships, families, or the workplace—can make a huge difference. Simply asking, “How are you really doing?” can open the door to meaningful dialogue.
2. Highlight Male Role Models Who Speak Up
When athletes, actors, and public figures speak openly about their mental health journeys, it sends a powerful message: it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to get help.
Men like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Love, and Michael Phelps have shared their stories, helping to normalize therapy and emotional openness.
3. Educate About Mental Health
During Men’s Mental Health Month, share articles, resources, and tools that explain what mental health is, how it affects men, and how to get support. Awareness leads to action.
4. Support Access to Mental Health Services
Make it easier for men to find support by promoting services like employee assistance programs (EAPs), online therapy platforms, and community mental health centers. Normalize counseling as part of overall health.
How to Support the Men in Your Life
Whether you’re a partner, parent, sibling, friend, or coworker, you can help the men in your life care for their mental health. Here’s how:
- Be a good listener: Don’t try to fix things immediately. Sometimes, just being heard is enough.
- Check-in regularly: Let them know you care—especially during difficult times.
- Encourage professional help: If someone you care about is struggling, gently suggest they speak with a therapist or counselor.
- Model emotional openness: Show that talking about feelings doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.
- Respect their pace: Everyone opens up differently. Offer steady support rather than pressure.
How Men Can Take Action for Their Mental Health
If you’re a man reading this and wondering what your next steps might be, consider the following:
- Talk to someone you trust—a friend, mentor, or family member.
- Schedule a therapy session—even one conversation with a professional can help clarify your thoughts.
- Make time for activities that recharge you—exercise, journaling, hobbies, or nature walks.
- Limit alcohol and substance use—they may dull pain temporarily, but they don’t address the root issue.
- Practice self-compassion—you don’t need to be perfect or strong all the time. Your feelings are valid.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen—with time, effort, and support.
Men Deserve Mental Wellness, Too
So, when is Men’s Mental Health Month? It’s every June—but the conversation should continue all year long. Mental health isn’t just a women’s issue. It affects everyone, and men deserve the same compassion, resources, and encouragement to take care of their minds as they do their bodies.
This June—and every month—let’s challenge outdated ideas about masculinity, champion emotional wellness, and remind every man that it’s okay to ask for help.
Real strength is found not in silence but in self-awareness.
