Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month: Opening up Conversations During June

By Will Sartor

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide and similar subject matter.

Mental health, in all forms, still faces stigma to this day. However, one especially stigmatized type is men’s mental health. 

For several years now, men’s mental health has been the subject of discussion during June in the United States, as well as during November in other countries. This is due to the fact that, according to Mental Health America (MHA), “men are less likely than women to seek help for depression, substance abuse, and stressful life events.” This sex-based hesitance is attributed to a variety of factors, including but not limited to social norms, reluctance to talk, and downplaying symptoms.  

This phenomenon leads to shocking statistics regarding men’s mental health. It’s estimated that 6 million men in the United States suffer from depression. More than triple the number — 19.1 million men — have an anxiety disorder. Additionally, men are more likely than women to commit suicide, and the annual number of male suicides has been on the rise since 2000. Similarly on the rise is the number of men with eating disorders and substance abuse issues. Yet, in spite of all this, men are still significantly less likely to reach out for help than women.   

Men’s Mental Health Month intends to combat this phenomenon. In the United Kingdom, men grow mustaches in November to raise awareness of mental health and physical health issues affecting men. However, you don’t have to grow facial hair in order to support the cause; posting online to spread awareness, as well as donating to men’s mental health charities go a long way.

It’s important for men to recognize the state of their mental health and find support if needed. For more information, check out:

https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/mens-mental-health-month#how-to-support

https://menshealthmonth.org/

https://www.mhanational.org/issues/infographic-mens-mental-health-5-minute-guide

Sources: 

England, A. (2024). What Is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and How Can I Support It?. healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/mens-mental

-health-month#how-to-support

Infographic Men's Mental Health - 5 Minute Guide (2024). Mental Health America.  https://www.mhanational.org/issues/infographic-mens-mental-health-5-minute-guide

Men's Health Month: Celebrated Every June (2024). Men's Health Month.   https://menshealthmonth.org/