When was the last time you asked a man in your life, “How are you really doing?” and waited for an honest answer?
Chances are, you got a quick “I’m fine” or “All good,” even if that wasn’t the whole truth. For generations, men have been taught to mask their struggles, bottle up emotions, and push through pain silently.
But here’s what we rarely talk about: men are dying by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women. Over 6 million men experience depression each year, yet most never seek help. And despite these alarming numbers, men’s mental health continues to be one of the most overlooked public health issues of our time.
That’s exactly why Men’s Mental Health Month matters and why 2026 is a crucial year to finally break the silence.
When Is Men’s Mental Health Month?
Men’s Mental Health Month is observed every June in the United States. While some people associate men’s mental health with November due to the popular Movember campaign (which focuses on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health through mustache-growing initiatives), June is officially recognized as Men’s Mental Health Month.
During this month, mental health advocates, healthcare organizations, and communities across the country come together to raise awareness, share resources, and encourage men to prioritize their emotional well-being.
June also includes Men’s Health Week, which typically runs the week before Father’s Day, making it a powerful time to focus on the men in our lives and the challenges they face.
Understanding the Crisis: Why Men’s Mental Health Is Overlooked
The statistics paint a sobering picture of men’s mental health in America.
Men die by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women, with suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 35. Yet despite this devastating reality, men are significantly less likely to seek professional mental health support.
Research shows that only about 35% of men would reach out to a mental health professional when struggling, compared to 58% of women. This gap isn’t because men don’t experience mental health challenges, it’s because a complex web of stigma, cultural expectations, and systemic barriers keeps them from getting help.
The Weight of “Manning Up”
From childhood, many men receive messages that emotions are weakness. They hear phrases like “toughen up,” “don’t cry,” “be the man of the house,” and “real men don’t complain.” These messages create an internal belief system that asking for help means you’re failing at being a man.
This toxic masculinity doesn’t just hurt men’s emotional health, it kills. When you’re taught that vulnerability is shameful, reaching out for support during your darkest moments feels impossible.
Different Symptoms, Same Suffering
Men often experience and express mental health struggles differently than women, which contributes to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
While women with depression might show sadness, crying, or withdrawal, men are more likely to display anger, irritability, aggression, or risky behaviors. Depression in men often looks like workaholism, increased alcohol use, road rage, or picking fights, symptoms that don’t fit the traditional mental health narrative.
Because healthcare providers and even men themselves don’t always recognize these as signs of depression or anxiety, millions of men suffer without proper diagnosis or treatment.
Cultural and Socioeconomic Barriers
Men of color face additional layers of complexity when it comes to mental health. Black men and Latino men experience higher rates of violence, incarceration, and systemic discrimination, all of which significantly impact mental health.
American Indian men have some of the highest suicide rates in the country. Yet these communities often have the least access to culturally competent mental health services and face the greatest stigma around seeking help.
Financial stress also plays a massive role. Traditional expectations position men as primary providers, and when economic uncertainty strikes, many men internalize failure and experience profound shame, anxiety, and depression.
The Real Cost of Silence
When men don’t address their mental health, the consequences ripple outward, affecting not just individuals but entire families and communities.
Substance Abuse as Self-Medication
Men are two to three times more likely than women to abuse drugs and alcohol. Often, substance use becomes a way to numb emotional pain, cope with anxiety, or escape from overwhelming stress.
This self-medication strategy provides temporary relief but ultimately makes mental health problems worse while creating additional health risks and potential addiction.
Relationship Breakdown
Unaddressed mental health issues strain marriages, partnerships, and family relationships. When a man can’t express his emotions or acknowledge his struggles, emotional distance grows. Partners feel shut out, children sense tension, and intimacy deteriorates.
Many men only recognize their mental health issues after losing important relationships, when it’s sometimes too late to repair the damage.
Physical Health Consequences
Mental health and physical health are deeply connected. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic pain, weakened immune function, and other serious health conditions.
Men already face higher rates of heart disease and tend to die younger than women. Ignoring mental health only compounds these physical health risks.
The Ultimate Tragedy
The most heartbreaking cost of men’s mental health stigma is the loss of life. Nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the United States are men. Many of these deaths could be prevented with proper support, treatment, and a culture that encourages men to speak up.
Research reveals that over 60% of men who died by suicide had actually accessed mental health services in the year prior to their death, but many reported feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or that their symptoms weren’t taken seriously.
This tells us that awareness alone isn’t enough. We need gender-sensitive, effective mental health care that truly meets men where they are.
Recognizing the Signs: What to Watch For
Mental health struggles in men don’t always look the way we expect. Being aware of the warning signs can help you recognize when you or a man in your life needs support.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes
- Increased irritability, anger, or aggression without clear cause
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities once enjoyed
- Working excessively or avoiding home
- Taking unusual risks or engaging in reckless behavior
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or being trapped
- Talking about being a burden to others
Physical Symptoms
- Chronic fatigue or sleeping too much/too little
- Unexplained aches, pains, or digestive issues
- Significant weight changes
- Decreased energy and motivation
Substance Use Patterns
- Drinking more frequently or in larger amounts
- Using drugs as a coping mechanism
- Combining substances or taking unnecessary risks
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s time to take them seriously and seek support.
Breaking the Cycle: How to Support Men’s Mental Health
Creating real change around men’s mental health requires action from all of us, individuals, families, communities, and healthcare systems.
Strong friendships and peer support can dramatically reduce isolation, and building a healthy support network is one of the most protective factors for men’s mental health.
Start Conversations That Matter
Don’t just ask “How are you?” and accept a one-word answer. Try questions like:
- “You’ve seemed a bit off lately. What’s going on?”
- “I’ve noticed you’ve been working a lot. How are you handling the stress?”
- “I’m here if you ever want to talk about anything that’s weighing on you.”
Creating emotionally safe spaces for men is essential for honest conversations and long-term healing, both at home and in the workplace.
Challenge Outdated Beliefs
When you hear phrases like “man up” or “real men don’t cry,” push back gently. Remind others that strength includes the courage to be honest about struggles and ask for help when needed.
Model healthy emotional expression yourself. Talk openly about managing stress, seeing a therapist, or working through difficult emotions.
Make Mental Health Resources Accessible
Men are more likely to seek help when resources are convenient, private, and don’t feel clinical. This is why online therapy, workplace mental health programs, and community-based support groups can be so effective.
If you’re in a position to influence workplace culture or community programs, advocate for men’s mental health initiatives that reduce barriers to access.
Support Without Judgment
If a man in your life opens up about struggling, resist the urge to immediately problem-solve. Sometimes people just need to be heard.
Listen actively, validate their feelings, and offer support without making them feel weak or broken. Statements like “That sounds really tough” or “Thank you for trusting me with this” go a long way.
Know When Professional Help Is Needed
While peer support is valuable, some situations require professional intervention:
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Severe depression or anxiety that interferes with daily functioning
- Substance abuse problems
- Trauma or PTSD symptoms
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness
Many men hesitate to seek support, but therapy can be a powerful step toward healing. Learn more about how men can benefit from therapy and what to expect from the process. Encourage professional help and offer to help find resources, make appointments, or provide transportation if needed.
Taking Action This Men’s Mental Health Month
Men’s Mental Health Month isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action. Here’s how you can make a difference this June:
For yourself: If you’re a man struggling with your mental health, this is your moment. Make that therapy appointment you’ve been putting off. Talk to someone you trust. Reach out to a support hotline. Taking the first step is the hardest part, but it’s also the most important.
For the men in your life: Check in meaningfully. Share resources. Let them know you’re available to listen without judgment. Sometimes just knowing someone cares can be life-changing.
For your community: Participate in or organize events that raise awareness about men’s mental health. Share information on social media. Support organizations doing this vital work.
FAQ: Men’s Mental Health Month
Is June or November men’s mental health month?
June is officially recognized as Men’s Mental Health Month in the United States. However, November has become associated with men’s health due to Movember, a global campaign where men grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues including mental health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Is it mental health month for men?
Yes, June is specifically designated as Men’s Mental Health Month in the United States. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges men face and encouraging men to seek support when needed.
What is November month for men?
November is known for Movember, an annual campaign that started in Australia where men grow mustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including mental health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention. International Men’s Day is also celebrated on November 19th.
Why is men’s mental health month overlooked?
Men’s Mental Health Month is often overlooked due to persistent stigma around men expressing emotions, cultural beliefs that discourage vulnerability in men, lack of media coverage compared to other health awareness campaigns, and men themselves being less likely to engage with mental health topics publicly.
Is September a men’s mental health month?
No, September is not men’s mental health month. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which addresses suicide prevention for all people. Men’s Mental Health Month is observed in June in the United States.
Why is there a men’s mental health month but not women’s?
This is a common misconception. Women’s mental health also has dedicated awareness campaigns and initiatives. Men’s Mental Health Month exists because men face unique barriers to seeking mental health support, including higher suicide rates, lower help-seeking rates, and specific cultural pressures around masculinity.
Your Mental Health Matters, Take the First Step
If you walked into this article wondering whether men’s mental health really deserves this attention, we hope the answer is now clear. It absolutely does.
Men are hurting. They’re struggling in silence. And too many are dying because asking for help still feels impossible.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Change starts with conversation, continues with compassion, and transforms lives through connection and care.
This year June, and every day after, let’s commit to creating a world where men feel safe being vulnerable, where seeking therapy is seen as strength, and where no one has to face their darkest moments alone.
Are you or a man you care about struggling with mental health challenges? Healing Springs Wellness offers compassionate, evidence-based mental health support specifically designed to help men overcome anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Our experienced therapists understand the unique challenges men face and provide a judgment-free space for healing. Schedule a consultation today and take the brave first step toward feeling better.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified mental health professional for personalized support.
