Men’s Mental Health Month: Breaking the Silence and Changing the Story

Kara Sutherland
Jun 3
2 min read

When we think about health, we often focus on physical well-being, heart health, diet, exercise, disease prevention. But mental health is just as vital, and in many cases, even more complex to address. This June, during Men’s Mental Health Month, we’re focusing on a conversation that’s long overdue: the emotional well-being of men.

Why Men’s Mental Health Deserves Its Own Spotlight

Mental health challenges do not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and backgrounds can, and do, struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and more. But when it comes to men, the statistics tell a particularly troubling story:

Men are less likely than women to seek mental health support.
Men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women, according to data from the CDC.
Substance abuse, isolation, and undiagnosed depression are common among men, especially those in high-stress environments or facing life transitions (like job loss, divorce, or retirement).

Yet, despite these alarming trends, the stigma surrounding men's mental health remains deeply ingrained. Many men are taught from a young age to “tough it out,” “man up,” or view vulnerability as weakness. This outdated narrative has silenced countless voices and kept too many men suffering in silence.

Changing the Conversation

Men’s Mental Health Month is an opportunity to rewrite the script. It’s a time to normalize conversations about emotions, therapy, self-care, and support. We’re here to say: It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s more than okay to ask for help.

This month, let’s encourage men to:

Talk openly about stress, anxiety, grief, or struggles they’re facing.
Check in on their friends, not just with surface-level banter, but with genuine curiosity and care.
Seek professional support when needed, whether through therapy, support groups, or wellness coaching.
Practice self-care without guilt, including healthy sleep, balanced nutrition, mindful movement, and downtime.

The Role of Society: Support Starts with Us

If we want to improve men’s mental health outcomes, we need to create safer spaces where emotional honesty is accepted, and celebrated. That means:

Fathers modeling vulnerability for their children.
Workplaces offering mental health days and wellness programs.
Partners listening without judgment when their loved ones open up.
Friends holding space for each other in real and meaningful ways.

No one should have to face their struggles alone.

Men’s Mental Health in 2025: Hope, Healing, and Progress

We’ve come a long way in recent years. Mental health conversations are becoming more common, therapy is more accessible (including virtual options), and more male public figures, from athletes to actors to veterans, are speaking out about their mental health journeys.

But we still have work to do.

This June, let’s make a commitment, to ourselves, to the men in our lives, and to our communities, to keep the conversation going. Let’s remind every man that strength isn’t about suffering in silence. True strength is having the courage to feel, to speak, and to heal.