Men often hesitate to seek help for mental health challenges. Instead, they opt to manage them on their own. As a result, this can lead to serious consequences, such as risky behaviors, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation.

The reasons men are less willing to seek mental health help vary. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), several reasons include:

• The unique challenges men face for their mental health
• Societal expectations
• Mental health stigma

When men’s mental health goes unchecked, it can impact the relationships within his life. From his family to his work, men may struggle with toxic patterns, low motivation, lack of productivity, and poor performance.

It’s essential to understand why men feel hesitancy towards mental health. Raising awareness about men’s mental health can empower individuals and families to help men recognize the underlying causes of their struggles. It can also help these men to overcome their challenges.

What Makes Men’s Mental Health Important?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. However, men commit suicide at 4x the rate of women. ¹

The reason behind these statistics is most men go untreated because they don’t speak out. This inability to communicate their emotions may be due to:

• Mental health stigma can make some men skeptical to receive psychiatric treatment.

• Societal expectations require men to always be able to handle their emotional states. If they were to receive treatment, it could be seen as a sign of inadequacy.

• Masculine traits may convince men that they can handle their mental health concerns on their own.

Going off that last point, men are more likely to self-medicate through substance abuse than women. ² On top of that, they’re more likely to participate in other addictive behaviors, such as gambling.

To prevent these negative patterns, it’s key to support men who struggle with elements of their mental health, such as loneliness and helplessness. To do this, we must break down the barriers that prevent men from seeking help in the first place.

What are the Consequences of Neglecting Mental Health?

There are several health consequences to anyone who ignores their mental health. This first are physical and can appear as the following: ³

• Back pain
• Digestive issues
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Increased risk of health problems (i.e. heart disease, stroke)
• Other aches
• Stomach pain

Men may also struggle with relationships (i.e. romantic, family, friends). Poor mental health can make it difficult to communicate and, as a result, cause relationships to break.

Furthermore, men are at risk of employment-related factors. In fact, this is one of the reasons men are more likely to be homeless than women. ⁴ Still, a healthy work environment can have the opposite effect. Positive work can:

• Give a man a way to provide for loved ones
• Provide him with a sense of self-assurance
• Promote purpose and accomplishment

Men are also experience higher levels of grief after a divorce (or loss of a partner/child through custody). On top of that, unaddressed childhood trauma can put them more at risk of disability.

How to Improve Mental Health

To revert these consequences, it’s key to bring awareness to men’s mental health and reduce stigmas. Furthermore, it’s equally as important to address the underlying causes of men’s mental issues.

However, men must take the first step towards addressing these concerns. So, how can men improve their mental health? There are several directions to take.

To start, it’s essential to prioritize self-care. While this may look different for every man, commonalities include:

• Adequate sleep
• Proper diet and nutrition
• Regular exercise

Men may also benefit from holistic approaches. These can include meditation, mindfulness, and being a member of a social circle.

However, one of the most important steps men need to take is seeking out professional treatment. Such avenues will allow a man to gain access to medication that may help mitigate symptoms and psychotherapies to address the root cause of their conditions.

Tools and Resources for Mental Health

Not sure where to begin your mental health journey? Here are some starting points to consider:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• GoodRx Health
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

References

¹ Miranda-Mendizabal A, Castellví P, Parés-Badell O, Alayo I, Almenara J, Alonso I, Blasco MJ, Cebrià A, Gabilondo A, Gili M, Lagares C, Piqueras JA, Rodríguez-Jiménez T, Rodríguez-Marín J, Roca M, Soto-Sanz V, Vilagut G, Alonso J. Gender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Int J Public Health. 2019 Mar;64(2):265-283. doi: 10.1007/s00038-018-1196-1. Epub 2019 Jan 12. PMID: 30635683; PMCID: PMC6439147.

² Tripković K, Šantrić Milićević M, Odalović M. Gender Differences in Predictors of Self-Medication with Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills: Results of the Population-Based Study in Serbia. Zdr Varst. 2019 Dec 13;59(1):47-56. doi: 10.2478/sjph-2020-0007. PMID: 32952703; PMCID: PMC7478080.

³ Aarons GA, Monn AR, Leslie LK, Garland AF, Lugo L, Hough RL, Brown SA. Association between mental and physical health problems in high-risk adolescents: a longitudinal study. J Adolesc Health. 2008 Sep;43(3):260-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.013. Epub 2008 May 2. PMID: 18710681; PMCID: PMC2768339.

⁴ North CS, Smith EM. A comparison of homeless men and women: different populations, different needs. Community Ment Health J. 1993 Oct;29(5):423-31. doi: 10.1007/BF00754410. PMID: 8243048.