This Men’s Health Awareness month, you can help shine a light on men’s mental health, which is too often overlooked. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 6.2% of adult men in the United States experienced a major depressive episode in 2021. 

A 2024 article by the Association of American Medical Colleges notes that men die by suicide at a rate that is four times higher than women and yet are diagnosed with depression and mood disorder at far lower rates. The reasons for this discrepancy are multifaceted and complex. 

How can families support the men in their lives?

Parents and caregivers can start by exploring structures and avenues that can support young men to reach out when they need support. And, as a parent or caregiver, you can also find ways to support yourself in the process.

Societal norms around masculinity can create barriers for men seeking help for their mental health. These traditional beliefs about masculinity include being strong, successful, self-reliant, in control, capable, able to keep going no matter what, and avoiding emotions. 

Let’s dig deeper:

  • Reaching out. Men with depression who participated in a 2020 study reported that they were reluctant to reach out for help because they saw it as a sign of weakness, which conflicted with their idea of what it means to be a man. See this article from the NIH National Library of Medicine on Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Men With Depression.
  • Dealing with emotions. In his book, I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression, Terrence Real suggests that rather than presenting as sadness or withdrawal, many men experience what he calls a “covert” type of depression that often appears as anger, workaholism, and emotional distance. Real also explores how avoiding and hiding emotional pain can be passed from one generation to the next, with many men first learning in childhood to suppress their feelings.
  • Self reflection: What can you do to break the cycle if you recognize this as a pattern in yourself or a young man in your life? 

5 practical steps to take

  1. Expand your emotional vocabulary and actively practice naming your emotions. An emotions wheel can be a great tool to help with this.
  2. Increase your self-awareness by taking an emotional inventory. 
  3. Take a timeout if you notice your mood shift. Pause and take an intentional timeout to self-reflect. For example, “I was in a positive mood, and all of a sudden I’m feeling irritated. What just happened?” 
  4. Learn about the ties between thoughts and emotions. Our emotions are almost always tied to our thoughts. The book “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy” by Dr. David Burns includes prompts that help you to identify your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and the connections between them.
  5. Stand up to stigma. Talk about your mental health journey with men. Consider engaging in therapy, which can provide a safe space to learn about yourself and challenge unhelpful societal beliefs. 

We all have a role to play in creating a culture that supports men’s mental health and well-being.

Additional Resources

 

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