Men's Mental Health Awareness Month

1. Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders

• Men are more likely to experience externalizing disorders, such as substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder. They are over three times more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder than the general population.

• In Thailand (2007–2019), men had significantly higher odds of psychoactive alcohol use disorders (OR 7.31–9.07) and substance abuse disorders (OR 5.06–7.82) compared to others.

• About 4% of men in the U.S. suffered from depression in 2022, though this may be underreported due to diagnostic biases.

• Men have comparable rates of severe disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to the general population, with no significant gender-specific differences in diagnosis rates.

• In England (2014), one in eight men reported a common mental health problem, with rates remaining stable from 2000 to 2014.

2. Suicide and Self-Harm

• Men are significantly more likely to die by suicide. In the UK (2018), men accounted for three-quarters of the 6,507 registered suicides, a consistent trend since the mid-1990s.

• In the U.S., men die by suicide at a rate four times higher than the population average.

• Men tend to use more lethal methods, contributing to higher completion rates.

• Among young men (ages 16–24) in England, 9.7% reported self-harm, lower than the general population but still significant, with rates tripling since 1993.

3. Access to Mental Health Care

• Men are less likely to seek mental health care due to societal stigma and expectations of masculinity. In the U.S. (2021), only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received treatment.

• Men make up just 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies in England, reflecting lower engagement with mental health services.

• Stigma, fear of judgment, and perceptions of mental health care as discretionary (tied to ideals of independence and strength) discourage men from seeking help.

• Over 60% of men who died by suicide had accessed mental health care within the past year, but providers may misdiagnose or underestimate their needs due to gender biases.

4. Societal and Cultural Factors

• Societal expectations of masculinity, such as suppressing emotions and being a provider, increase men’s risk of externalizing behaviors like substance abuse and aggression.

• Men face higher risks of workplace death (93% of U.S. workplace deaths), incarceration (men dominate the prison population), and violent crime victimization, all linked to mental health challenges.

• Self-harm rates are elevated among men in prisons, reflecting the impact of these environments.

• Men report lower life satisfaction than the general population, according to the UK’s national wellbeing survey, potentially tied to social pressures and isolation.

5. Biological and Hormonal Influences

• Sex hormones and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis influence stress-related disorders in men, though research on biological factors is less extensive for internalizing disorders.

• Biological predispositions may contribute to higher rates of externalizing disorders, amplified by social factors like gender role expectations.

6. Trends and Changes Over Time

• Mental health problem rates among men in England remained stable from 2000 to 2014, unlike some population groups where increases were noted.

• The gap in substance use disorders between men and others is narrowing in some regions, possibly due to evolving social norms around gender roles.

 

Below is an outline of practical ways individuals, communities, and organizations can help address the mental health challenges men face, focusing on the issues highlighted (e.g., high suicide rates, stigma, low help-seeking behavior, and societal pressures). The suggestions are grounded in evidence from mental health research and aim to be actionable and impactful, presented concisely.

1. Reducing Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health

• Promote Open Conversations: Encourage men to talk about mental health by normalizing discussions in everyday settings (e.g., workplaces, social groups). Share stories of men who sought help, like those highlighted in campaigns such as Movember or Time to Change.

• Challenge Masculinity Stereotypes: Counter norms that equate emotional vulnerability with weakness. Public figures, influencers, or community leaders can model openness about mental health struggles (e.g., athletes or celebrities sharing experiences).

• Educate Communities: Organize workshops or campaigns in schools, workplaces, and community centers to debunk myths about men’s mental health, emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength. In 2021, only 40% of men with mental illness sought treatment, partly due to stigma.

2. Improving Access to Mental Health Care

• Advocate for Male-Friendly Services: Support or create mental health programs tailored to men, such as male-only support groups or online platforms like Man Therapy, which use humor and relatable language. Men make up only 36% of NHS talking therapy referrals, indicating a need for targeted outreach.

• Train Providers: Encourage healthcare providers to recognize and address gender biases in diagnosing men’s mental health issues, as misdiagnosis affects over 60% of men who die by suicide despite prior care access.

• Expand Low-Cost Options: Volunteer or donate to organizations offering free or affordable counseling, such as local nonprofits or helplines like Samaritans (UK) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US: 988), to reduce financial barriers.

3. Supporting Men in High-Risk Environments

• Workplace Initiatives: Advocate for mental health programs in male-dominated industries (e.g., construction, where 93% of U.S. workplace deaths occur). Employers can offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or stress management workshops.

• Prison and Justice System Support: Volunteer with or support programs like those run by the Prison Reform Trust, which address high self-harm rates among incarcerated men by providing counseling and peer support.

• Community Outreach: Engage men in high-risk settings (e.g., veterans, homeless men) through local charities or shelters, offering mental health resources or connecting them to services.

4. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior

• Peer Support Networks: Create or join peer-led groups where men can share experiences, such as Men’s Sheds (community spaces for men to connect through activities). These reduce isolation, linked to lower life satisfaction in men (UK wellbeing survey).

• Role Modeling: If you’re a man, openly discuss your mental health or therapy experiences to inspire others. Friends or family can gently encourage men to seek help by offering to accompany them to appointments.

• Use Technology: Promote apps like Headspace or online platforms like BetterHelp, which offer discreet ways for men to access support, bypassing stigma around in-person care.

5. Addressing Suicide Risk

• Learn Warning Signs: Educate yourself and others on suicide warning signs (e.g., withdrawal, substance abuse) through resources like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Men account for 75% of UK suicides (2018), making early intervention critical.

• Direct Support: Check in regularly with men in your life, especially those facing stressors like job loss or incarceration. Simple actions like asking “Are you okay?” can open dialogue.

• Crisis Resources: Share helpline numbers (e.g., US: 988; UK: 116 123) in community spaces or social media to ensure men know where to turn in a crisis.

6. Advocacy and Policy Support

• Push for Funding: Advocate for increased funding for men’s mental health programs by contacting policymakers or supporting organizations like the Men’s Health Network. Public funding gaps contribute to low access rates.

• Workplace Policies: Encourage employers to implement mental health days or flexible policies, reducing stress from provider roles, a key societal pressure for men.

• Community Campaigns: Support or start local initiatives like Movember, which funds men’s mental health research and awareness, raising millions annually to address suicide and substance abuse.

7. Fostering Resilience and Connection

• Build Social Bonds: Organize or participate in community activities (e.g., sports, hobby groups) to combat isolation, a factor in men’s lower life satisfaction. Social connection reduces externalizing behaviors like substance abuse (men are 2.5 times more likely to have substance use disorders).

• Mentorship Programs: Volunteer as a mentor for young men, particularly in high-risk groups (e.g., those in foster care or with incarcerated parents), to provide guidance and emotional support.

• Promote Healthy Coping: Encourage activities like exercise or mindfulness, which men may find more approachable than therapy. Studies show physical activity reduces depression symptoms in men.