Each June, Men’s Mental Health Month serves as a powerful reminder of the mental health struggles men face and the healing that is possible when they’re given the space to speak, feel, and grow. While discussions about mental health have become more open in recent years, many men still feel pressure to suffer in silence. This month is about making space for vulnerability, dismantling stigma, and encouraging a new definition of strength—one that includes self-awareness, emotional expression, and reaching out for help.
The movement for Men’s Mental Health Month grew out of a stark and unsettling reality: men are statistically less likely to seek mental health care, more likely to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, and far more likely to die by suicide. Despite progress in the mental health field, outdated ideas about masculinity still dominate many cultures, discouraging men from asking for support. Men’s Mental Health Month is a call to action—for communities, therapists, families, and men themselves—to recognize that mental health is not a gendered issue. It is a human issue, and one that needs urgent attention.
The Hidden Struggles of Men’s Mental Health
While men experience the full spectrum of mental health challenges, their symptoms often go unrecognized or are misdiagnosed. The emotional landscape for many men can be shaped by silent suffering, masked symptoms, and internalized shame.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. For many men, it shows up as irritability, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, loss of motivation, or even physical pain. Men may become more withdrawn, spend excessive time at work or in hobbies, or use substances to cope. Similarly, anxiety may manifest not just as worry or restlessness, but as perfectionism, chronic stress, over-planning, or avoidance.
Because men are often taught not to show emotional distress, they may push through their symptoms until the burden becomes unbearable. This is why it’s so important to recognize the subtler, gendered ways depression and anxiety can present in men.
Anger, Shame, and Emotional Suppression
One of the most socially acceptable emotions for men to display is anger. But underneath anger, there’s often a tangle of unspoken feelings: shame from not living up to expectations, guilt from past actions, fear of being emotionally exposed, or sadness that hasn’t found a voice. In therapy, many men come to realize that their anger isn’t a problem in and of itself—it’s a signal pointing toward something deeper that needs care and attention.
Men may also struggle to name their emotions due to lifelong conditioning to suppress or ignore them. As a result, their emotional literacy—the ability to recognize and articulate what they feel—may be underdeveloped. This doesn’t mean men are incapable of deep emotion; it means they’ve often never been taught how to navigate it.
Body Dysmorphia and Masculinity Pressures
Although rarely discussed, many men face immense pressure to look a certain way. The rise of fitness culture, social media, and hyper-masculine ideals has contributed to growing rates of muscle dysmorphia—a form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) where men obsess over not being “muscular enough.” This can lead to disordered eating, compulsive exercise, use of steroids or supplements, and intense shame around body image.
Unfortunately, because body image issues are still wrongly viewed as “women’s issues,” men experiencing them may feel especially isolated or embarrassed to seek help.
PTSD and Unresolved Trauma
Men experience trauma in many forms—combat, childhood abuse, neglect, loss, physical violence, or witnessing tragedy. Yet the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult to identify, especially when they appear as emotional numbness, detachment, sleep disturbances, or sudden outbursts of anger. Many men feel the need to “move on” or bury the pain, not realizing that trauma lives in the body and mind until it’s processed.
Left untreated, PTSD can lead to self-destructive behaviors, strained relationships, and a diminished quality of life. But the good news is: trauma can be healed. Recovery is absolutely possible—with the right support.
Why Men Struggle to Talk About Their Mental Health
At the heart of the issue is a long-standing cultural narrative: men must be tough, logical, in control, and emotionally self-reliant. Vulnerability is often seen as weakness, and seeking help can feel like admitting failure. These ideas are not only harmful—they are untrue.
Men are not emotionally immune. They are not machines or problem-solving robots. They are deeply human. And when we deny them the chance to feel, to break down, to ask for help, we deny them the right to be whole.
Some common barriers preventing men from seeking help include:
- Fear of judgment or being seen as “less of a man.”
- Lack of mental health education or awareness of symptoms.
- Belief that they must solve their problems alone.
- Concerns about appearing weak to family, peers, or employers.
- Difficulty finding culturally competent therapists or male-friendly environments.
Debunking Harmful Myths About Men’s Mental Health
Let’s bust some of the most persistent myths that keep men from prioritizing their mental wellness:
- Myth: Men should be able to handle their problems on their own.
Truth: True strength is knowing when you need support and having the courage to ask for it. - Myth: Therapy is only for people who are “broken” or have severe issues.
Truth: Therapy is for anyone who wants to improve their emotional well-being, relationships, and quality of life. - Myth: Talking about feelings is pointless or unmanly.
Truth: Emotional expression is a human need. It builds connection, self-awareness, and resilience. - Myth: Men don’t experience things like eating disorders, body image issues, or anxiety.
Truth: Men do—and they deserve the same compassion and care as anyone else.
How Counseling Supports Men’s Healing and Growth
Counseling provides a judgment-free space where men can explore what’s happening inside—often for the first time. It can help men understand their emotions, shift harmful patterns, learn new coping strategies, and reconnect with a sense of purpose. Therapy isn’t just about “talking about your feelings.” It’s a tool for growth, clarity, and empowerment.
Several therapeutic approaches have proven especially helpful for men:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps men recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more realistic and supportive thoughts, often in a structured, goal-oriented way.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages men to accept their inner experiences while committing to actions aligned with their values. This approach is especially effective for those who want to focus on purpose and meaning.
- Narrative Therapy: Helps men reframe their personal stories and separate themselves from the problems they’ve internalized. This can be especially healing for men dealing with shame or societal expectations.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Appeals to those who want to focus on practical, forward-moving goals rather than delving into the past. It highlights strengths and progress, which many men find motivating.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A powerful, research-backed therapy for trauma and PTSD that doesn’t require talking in detail about the traumatic event.
Counseling can also help men improve communication in their relationships, navigate career stress, become more mindful parents or partners, and build emotional regulation skills that last a lifetime.
A Message to Men: You Are Not Alone
To all the men reading this—your experiences matter. Your story matters. Whatever you’re carrying, whatever you’ve faced or are facing now—it’s valid. You don’t have to keep it all inside. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
It’s time to unlearn the idea that silence is strength. Strength is opening up. Strength is admitting when something hurts. Strength is reaching for help even when your instinct is to push it away.
This Men’s Mental Health Month, we invite you to pause. Reflect. Check in with yourself. Ask: How am I really doing? Whether it’s scheduling a therapy appointment, confiding in a friend, or simply acknowledging a struggle you’ve buried, every small step matters. Healing doesn’t have to be loud—it just has to begin.
You are deserving of support. You are worthy of peace. Let’s start rewriting the story—one where men are free to feel, to heal, and to thrive.
