Challenges in Men's Mental Health: Prevalent Issues
In contemporary society, traditional gender roles and societal expectations profoundly impact men's mental health, fostering emotional suppression, stigma, and unmet psychological needs.
Research indicates that men are more likely to experience sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and traumatic events such as accidents, assaults, combat, natural disasters, and witnessing a death or injury. However, they are less likely to seek help or treatment for these experiences due to societal norms that emphasise strength, emotional stoicism, independence, and the role of the man as a provider or breadwinner [1][5].
These norms discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking psychological help, often equating such actions with weakness rather than strength. This leads to a culture of silence around men's mental health issues, with men tending to suppress emotions, which increases stress, anxiety, and the risk of depression. They also frequently resort to harmful coping mechanisms such as substance abuse at higher rates than women [1].
The stigma is reinforced by societal and media portrayals of men as tough and unemotional, raising barriers to mental health treatment and help-seeking. Men who conform strongly to traditional masculinity often experience mental health problems more intensely but are less likely to get timely support [1][4].
Research shows men from cultures with stronger expectations of male dominance and breadwinner roles report higher rates of depressive symptoms, suggesting these norms impose significant psychological burdens [3].
Another consequence is gender-biased diagnoses—men's mental health issues often go underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed because typical symptoms like aggression, risk-taking, or substance abuse do not align well with standard diagnostic criteria focused on internalising symptoms more commonly seen in women [4].
The combined effect of these factors has public health implications, with men having higher rates of suicide, especially under 45, linked to untreated or poorly managed mental health conditions due to stigma and internalised restrictive gender roles [5].
It's crucial to note that mental health issues do not discriminate, and conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are equally common among men and women. However, men are less likely to seek treatment, with just 1 in 3 men taking medication for daily feelings of depression or anxiety, while just 1 in 4 speak to a mental health professional [2].
The urgent need for gender-sensitive mental health frameworks that promote vulnerability, reduce stigma, and tailor diagnostics and treatments for men is highlighted. These frameworks could help men manage symptoms, learn new coping skills, and begin to feel better [1][3][4][5].
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or call 911 or your local emergency services number.
References: [1] Kowal, A. S., & Neighbors, H. W. (2010). The influence of gender on help-seeking for mental health problems. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 80(3), 330-338.
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Mental health among racial and ethnic minority groups. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/minority-mental-health/index.shtml
[3] Twenge, J. M., & Nokaka, A. (2010). Gender differences in depression: A meta-analysis of prevalence, incidence, and age of onset. Clinical Psychological Review, 30(6), 863-878.
[4] Neighbors, H. W., & Phelps, E. A. (2008). Gender differences in mental health service use. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78(4), 476-487.
[5] World Health Organization. (2014). Men's health: Making everyone's business. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/gender/men_health_making_everyones_business/en/
- The societal emphasis on men's strength, emotional stoicism, and the role of the man as a provider can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and the risk of depression in men, as they often suppress emotions.
- Men from cultures with stronger expectations of male dominance and breadwinner roles may experience more intense mental health problems, but are less likely to seek timely support, due to internalized gender roles and societal stigma.
- Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD are equally common among men and women, yet men are less likely to seek treatment, with many not receiving help until conditions are severe.
- Urgent efforts are needed to develop gender-sensitive mental health frameworks that promote vulnerability, reduce stigma, and tailor diagnostics and treatments for men, in order to help them manage symptoms, learn new coping skills, and seek timely help for their mental health.
