Breaking the Silence: Why Men’s Mental Health Can’t Wait
Why Men’s Mental Health Matters
June is Men’s Mental Health Month, yet for many men, the topic remains taboo. We live in a world where traditional masculinity is often equated with self-sufficiency, toughness, and emotional stoicism. But the reality is that men are just as susceptible to mental health challenges as anyone else. The difference? They’re often less likely to acknowledge it, let alone seek help.
The statistics are alarming. Men are four times as likely to die from suicide as women. They are two to three times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Despite this, women are twice as likely to receive counseling as men.
I know this struggle personally. Even as I’ve continued to advocate for mental health awareness, I often find myself battling the internalized voices that tell me to “man up” and push through. I’m hesitant to “burden” others with my issues. I feel like I should be able to carry everything on my own. These societal narratives—ingrained from childhood—teach us that admitting vulnerability is a weakness rather than a fundamental part of being human. It’s time to rewrite that script.
The Silent Struggle: What Men Face
Men’s mental health is shaped by a variety of factors, many of which are overlooked in broader conversations about well-being.
- The Burden of “Toughness” – From an early age, boys are told to be tough. “Suck it up.” “Be a man.” “Don’t be soft.” Strength, we’re taught, means never showing pain—whether physical or emotional. But this idea of toughness can be deeply damaging. It keeps men from seeking help, expressing feelings, and even properly processing grief. Take, for example, the loss of a loved one. Many men, when faced with profound grief, feel pressure to keep it together for their families, to “be strong” rather than allow themselves to mourn openly. But grief isn’t a test of endurance; it’s a natural, necessary process. Suppressing it doesn’t make it go away—it only turns it into something heavier, something that resurfaces in unexpected and unhealthy ways.
- Emotional Suppression – The phrase “boys don’t cry” is drilled into us from a young age, but the truth is, boys don’t cry enough. When men suppress emotions, they don’t disappear; they manifest in other, often destructive, ways—anger, isolation, substance abuse, or even physical health issues like heart disease.
- Stigma Around Seeking Help – Studies show that men are far less likely than women to seek therapy or confide in others about their struggles. Many men don’t even have a trusted friend they feel comfortable opening up to about their mental health.
- Unrecognized Issues – Certain mental health conditions are mistakenly perceived as “women’s issues.” For example, eating disorders and body dysmorphia affect millions of men, yet they’re rarely talked about in male spaces. This lack of awareness prevents men from recognizing their own struggles and seeking support.
The Role of Self-Care: Redefining Strength
One of the most powerful shifts men can make is realizing that taking care of themselves is not selfish—it’s essential. When men prioritize their well-being, they don’t just benefit themselves; they become better partners, fathers, sons, friends, and colleagues.
What Does Self-Care Look Like for Men?
- Emotional Expression – Whether it’s therapy, journaling, or simply having honest conversations, men need spaces to express what they’re feeling.
- Physical Health – Diet and exercise play a massive role in mental well-being. However, exercise shouldn’t just be about muscle gain—it should be about stress relief, endurance, and overall vitality.
- Rest & Recovery – Men often push through exhaustion, believing rest is a sign of weakness. In reality, sleep and downtime are crucial for mental resilience.
- Healthy Relationships – Prioritizing friendships and emotional connections is vital. Checking in on the men in your life—and allowing them to check in on you—can be life-changing.
Men Need Role Models Who Prioritize Mental Health
One of the biggest challenges in shifting the narrative around men’s mental health is the lack of visible role models. Too often, we only hear about men’s struggles after they’ve hit a breaking point—when an athlete speaks out about depression or a celebrity dies by suicide. We need more men to normalize prioritizing mental health in everyday life, whether that’s setting boundaries at work, practicing mindfulness, or simply admitting when they’re struggling.
If you’re a father, brother, coach, teacher, or mentor, your willingness to be vulnerable sends a powerful message to the next generation: It’s okay to take care of yourself.
Reframing Masculinity: The Path Forward
For too long, men have been taught that self-love—or even self-acceptance—is indulgent, that showing any sign of emotional distress is a failure of character. But real strength isn’t about suppressing struggles. It’s about facing them with honesty and resilience.
Men’s mental health isn’t just about individual choices—it’s about changing cultural expectations. Workplaces, schools, and communities need to create environments where mental health is prioritized for everyone.
This Men’s Mental Health Month, let’s challenge outdated narratives. Let’s encourage more conversations. Let’s check in on the men in our lives—not just with a casual “How are you?” but with real, open-ended questions that invite honesty. And most importantly, let’s remind each other that being human means having emotions, and taking care of ourselves is one of the most powerful things we can do—not just for us but for everyone around us.
Join Andrew Mercein in destigmatizing the conversation around mental health on “The Way Home,” a community dedicated to navigating life’s challenges together.
“Hi, I’m Andrew Mercein, and I want to personally invite you to be a part of our community. ‘The Way Home’ is a place for reflection, connection, and growth. Together, we’ll navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its beauty. Let’s walk this path together.”
- Connect with Andrew Mercein
- Read more articles from our VIP Executive Contributor, Andrew Mercein