For far too long, men’s mental health has been downplayed and overlooked. In the past, this important topic seems to have been basically ignored. Society often pressured men to be self-reliant and stoic. Many men suffered in silence when facing emotional struggles.

The consequences of this stigma about men has been devastating — leading to higher rates of suicide, untreated mental health problems, and substance abuse. It’s time to change the narrative and start taking this issue much more seriously.

Men’s Mental Health: The Reality

Statistics paint a troubling picture:

• Mental health struggles often manifest differently for men. While depression in women may present as sadness or withdrawal, men often exhibit reckless behaviour, irritability, and anger. This often leads to misdiagnosis or lack of recognition.
• Men make up 80% of suicides according the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention).  In Canada (Canada.ca), men die by suicide at a rate 3 times higher than women.
• Men are less likely to seek help. Studies show that men are significantly less likely to seek therapy or counselling compared to women — likely due to societal expectations and a biological imperative to be seen as self-reliant and strong.

Why the Stigma Exists

There are many societal / cultural beliefs that contribute to the stigma surrounding men’s mental health:

1. Men shouldn’t cry or show emotions like sadness or depression. This outdated notion teaches boys that they are weak and that showing anger or frustration is more acceptable.
2. Society can be very judgmental. Many men worry they’ll be seen as “less of a man” if they admit to having struggles with anxiety, depression, or stress.
3. The pressure to “man up.” Whether it’s at work, among friends, or in their romantic relationships, men are often expected to handle everything on their own.

Silence Has Consequences

Ignoring mental health issues makes them worse. When men suppress their emotions, it can lead to:

• Increased risk of using substances, and other types of addictions, as a coping strategy
• Reduced productivity at work
• Strained personal relationships with their significant other, family, and friends
• More severe mental health problems which can sometimes lead to suicide, self-harming behaviours, and burnout

Moving Forward to Break the Stigma

How can we encourage men to prioritize their mental health?

Open Conversations

It starts with having open dialogue around men’s mental health. Concepts such as sharing personal experiences, checking in on that friend you are worried about, and listening without judgment, are key.

Re-examine What it Means to Be Strong

True strength is about having the courage to seek help when needed. Let’s shift the definition of masculinity to include emotional resilience and vulnerability. Truly, I believe that people with no self-esteem or courage are the ones who cannot reach out for help and that is a very sad situation, indeed. Believing that you deserve to be happier and taking the steps to achieve that, even if it means some counselling for a time, is a very smart move and shows true strength by doing what it takes to achieve your goals.

Encourage Therapy and Support Groups

Therapy isn’t just for times of crises—it’s an amazing tool for self-improvement and increased mental well-being. Successful therapy, use of mental health helplines, and support groups can make seeking help feel more accessible.

In the past 2 decades, I have seen more and more men reaching out for help through counselling. Men from all sorts of backgrounds are taking their mental health seriously: construction workers all the way through to professionals and CEO’s.

Usually there are some blocks from the past that are interfering with men being able to carve out the life they want. Successful counselling can help remove those blocks.

Lead by Example

Public figures, influencers, and even athletes are starting to speak openly about their mental health struggles–this is helping to break the stigma. The more men share their experiences, the more others feel encouraged to do the same. Sometimes we see famous public figures such as Anthony Bourdain and Robin Williams commiting suicide so we know this is not an issue to be swept under the rug.

Educate and Advocate

It would be wonderful if workplaces, schools, and our communities would integrate mental health education to help people recognize the signs of depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. Providing resources and safe spaces for men to talk will make a huge difference.

On a personal level, we should all be watching out for people we know who may be struggling and let them know we are available to listen and help get them connected to proper care.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt about it, men’s mental health matters. And it is definately not a sign of weakness—it’s a part of being human. Everyone has struggles and it is valid to need some help sometimes. By encouraging open conversations, and supporting one another, we can break the stigma and create a world where men feel safe to seek help and prioritize their mental and emotional well-being.

Taking care of one’s self on the inside goes a very long way to living the life you want and showing up as the person you want to be.

I have been working mainly with male clients in my counselling private practice for over 20 years. Many men find it helpful to talk to someone who genuinely cares and has a lot of counselling specific skills to create lasting change. You won’t need to go to therapy forever; a few weeks or months really can make all the difference.