Men’s Mental Health Month is not widely known, but it was created to emphasize the importance of men’s mental health. Learn more in this blog from Revive Health Recovery.
We’re talking about mental health more than ever, and people are opening up and learning to support each other. But men’s mental health is still often overlooked, as men are less likely to seek help. Here are some concerning facts:
- Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, accounting for nearly 75% of all suicides in the U.S.
- Only 35% of men in a survey by the American Psychological Association said they would seek help from a mental health professional, compared to 58% of women.
- Men are more likely to deal with issues like alcohol dependence and antisocial personality disorder, while women are more often diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
- Men sometimes cope with stress by engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse or reckless driving.
This is why Men’s Mental Health Month exists—to bring attention to the importance of mental health support for men. For everything you need to know about this month, including when it is and ways to show support, keep reading.
Understanding Men’s Mental Health Month
Many mental health issues in men can be detected and treated early, but men often avoid seeking help. Men’s Mental Health Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health for men.
What is Men’s Mental Health Month?
Men’s Mental Health month is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health challenges that men face. This month encourages men to open up about their mental health, seek help when needed, and work to break the stigma around mental health issues.
During this month, activities often include educational events, support group meetings, social media campaigns, and partnerships with mental health organizations to offer resources and support for men facing mental health challenges.
Why is Men’s Mental Health Month important?
In terms of mental health, women are diagnosed with depression twice as often as men. However, CDC data shows that in 2020, men’s suicide rate was four times higher than women’s.
Because of stigma, societal expectations, and stereotypes around masculinity, men often turn to addictive behaviors, like substance abuse, to cope. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that men use illicit drugs more frequently than women. Another risky behavior men may use to deal with mental health issues is compulsive gambling, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, is more common in men than women.
Focusing on men’s mental health is essential for supporting those who feel isolated or hopeless and for removing the barriers that make men hesitate to seek help when they need it.
When is Men’s Mental Health Month?
Men’s Mental Health Month, held in June, highlights the mental health challenges men face, works to break down societal stigmas, and encourages open conversations about men’s mental well-being.
Although June is designated for this focus, men’s mental health is important all year. Regular check-ups, healthy habits, and seeking help when needed are all key to men’s overall well-being.
Historical context and recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month
Men’s Mental Health Month has been officially recognized since 1994, originally starting as National Men’s Health Week. Then-President Clinton signed it into effect. Although its early history isn’t well-documented, it has recently gained more attention as part of a larger movement to address mental health challenges faced by men.
The birth of Men’s Mental Health Month
Men’s Mental Health Month started to take shape in the early 2000s when advocacy groups, mental health organizations, and others recognized the need for a dedicated time to focus on men’s mental health.
In 2003, Men’s Health Month was officially established in the U.S., led by the Men’s Health Network to address men’s health, including mental well-being. Over time, mental health became a key part of Men’s Health Month, and June is now informally known as Men’s Mental Health Month, highlighting the unique mental health challenges men face.
Important milestones in Men’s Mental Health awareness
As Men’s Mental Health Month grew, key milestones and initiatives shaped its development and impact. These milestones show society’s changing view of mental health and the efforts to spotlight men’s mental health issues.
- Movember Launch (2003): Founded in Australia, the Movember Foundation has played a key role in raising awareness about men’s health, including mental health. Funds raised each November support men’s health programs and research. Movember’s success has greatly increased global awareness of men’s mental health issues.
- World Mental Health Day Focus on Men (2010): In 2010, the World Federation for Mental Health dedicated World Mental Health Day to “Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses: The Need for Continued and Integrated Care.” This theme highlighted the link between physical and mental health, especially important for men who often experience higher rates of some chronic illnesses.
- National Men’s Health Week (2014): In 2014, the U.S. Congress designated the week before Father’s Day as National Men’s Health Week, creating a dedicated time to focus on men’s health, including mental health.
- #RealConvo Campaign (2019): The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) started the #RealConvo campaign in 2019 to encourage honest conversations about mental health. While aimed at everyone, it focuses strongly on men, who have higher suicide rates.
The importance of men’s mental health awareness
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) estimates that 1 in 10 men experiences anxiety and/or depression. However, men are less likely to discuss feelings like sadness, worthlessness, anxiety, or hopelessness.
Because of this, mental health issues in young men are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, meaning more men are struggling than statistics show. The ADAA estimates that only about half of men with mental health issues seek help.
What is mental health stigma?
Mental health stigma includes different types: social stigma, self-stigma, professional stigma, and cultural stigma.
Social stigma involves negative attitudes and judgment toward people with mental health issues, often based on the false idea that mental illness is due to a “weak character.” This can lead to discrimination, avoidance, and rejection of those with mental health struggles. Social stigma is usually the most commonly discussed type.
Self-stigma happens when a person with mental illness starts to believe the negative views of society, feeling ashamed of their symptoms.
Professional stigma refers to health professionals unintentionally reinforcing negative views about mental illness in their clients.
Cultural stigma includes the different ways that cultures view and interpret mental illness.
Addressing stigmas around men’s mental health
American men face cultural pressures around masculinity that can negatively impact their health. One reason men often avoid seeking help is due to masculinity norms – social rules about how men are “supposed” to act.
Traditional masculinity, or hegemonic masculinity, emphasizes traits like dominance and power, sometimes creating a harmful idea of “real” masculinity. Toxic masculinity, a form of this, restricts behaviors like showing fear or sadness, reinforcing ideas that favor male dominance. This can make it harder for men to express emotions openly.
Following these strict masculine norms can lead to:
- Worsening depression and anxiety
- Substance abuse
- Higher health risks (like heart disease and diabetes)
- Problems with dating and close relationships
- Issues with violence
- Increased stress and mental health struggles
- Avoiding help
- Homophobia
Common mental health issues faced by men
To support men in getting the help they need, friends and family can learn about men’s mental health issues and ask questions when they notice warning signs.
Here are 5 common mental health disorders in men:
- Depression: Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in men. According to CDC data, 5.5% of young adult men experience depression – about half the rate of women in the same age group. However, men are less frequently diagnosed with depression than women.
- Anxiety disorders: Types of anxiety disorders in men include: panic disorder, obsessive – compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, phobias
- Substance use disorder: The Monitoring the Future survey shows that young men are generally more likely than women to use drugs like marijuana, hallucinogens, and prescription painkillers, or binge drink to cope with mental health issues.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD isn’t only experienced by military veterans. About 60% of men go through at least one traumatic event in their lives, often related to accidents, physical assault, combat, or witnessing death or injury.
- Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder symptoms in men usually appear between ages 15 and 24 and affect about 3% of the U.S. population.
How to get involved and support in Men’s Mental Health Month?
If you want to support Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, here are some ways to get involved.
- Normalize seeking help
- Redefine masculinity
- Encourage self-acceptance
- Help them find support
- Promote early intervention and access to resources
Normalize seeking help
We can make seeking help more normal by encouraging open communication. Public education is key to starting conversations about the importance of men’s mental health.
Redefine masculinity
We can help break stereotypes and encourage men to focus on their mental health by showing role models who display qualities like vulnerability, empathy, and emotional openness.
Encourage self-acceptance
Men, especially, may have a strong inner critic shaped by upbringing and life experiences. When things go wrong, they might feel like a failure and tie their self-worth to their actions.
One way to help them be kinder to themselves is by validating their feelings, saying things like: “What you’re feeling makes complete sense.” or “I see how hard you’re trying and all the effort you’re putting in.”
Learning self-acceptance involves knowing that we are unique, valuable, and different from others, which is essential for good mental health.
Help them find support
Men often keep to themselves during hard times instead of asking for professional counseling, which can lead to issues like drinking too much, overeating, trouble sleeping, and irritability. Starting a conversation with them can feel challenging, but here are some tips to support them and encourage seeking help:
- Find helpful information to share
- Help them list questions they want to ask their doctor
- Keep a safe place for their paperwork, prescriptions, and records
- Offer to attend appointments with them if they’d like
- Ask if they need help with practical tasks
- Learn more about what they’re going through
Promote early intervention and access to resources
Early detection and treatment of men’s mental health issues are crucial. Men can get support sooner if treatments are culturally sensitive and better publicized.
Resources available for men seeking support
Here are resources offering information, tools, and support for men’s mental health, including where to find help.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a well-known online resource for depression and mental health support. It offers a range of mental health resources, including a glossary of mental health terms, stories of recovery from addiction, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, and helpful information for those in need.
- Crisis Text Line: If you’re in a crisis, text HOME to 741741 to talk with a crisis counselor.
- Mental Health America (MHA) offers resources like mental health screening tools and worksheets to help you stay grounded, plan positive lifestyle changes, and manage risky behaviors. MHA also provides information on various mental health issues, from addiction to trichotillomania.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA offers information on suicide prevention, recovery, and behavioral health treatments and services. You can also find resources on preventing substance use and mental health disorders.
Conclusion
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is important, but men’s mental health needs attention all year. Although it’s more accepted now for men to share their feelings and seek help, stigma still exists around men needing mental health counseling and support.
Talk openly with the men in your life. If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, or other mental health challenges, remember you’re not alone, and seeking help doesn’t make you any less of a man. There are many resources available that allow men to access mental health care and work toward healthier lives.
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