Mental Health Moment 3/1/2025
Men’s Mental Health
Content warning: suicide, substance use, violence
While everyone benefits from mental health care, the needs of men and boys in our society often go unmet. Even though men die by suicide 3.8 times more often than women, depression and mood disorders are diagnosed at a far lower rate. And, even when a mental health problem is known, men are statistically less likely to seek therapy and psychiatric support and also less likely to report helpful and satisfying connections when they do ask for help.
There are many reasons that men’s needs can be missed. For one, men in mental health crises tend to display their pain in ways that can simultaneously be encouraged by societal norms and isolative from society at large. For example, depression can led men to be violent and aggressive and far too irritable to make good, healthy connections with others. For another, gender bias can give men the message that the only real solution to their problems is to “man up” and stop showing weakness.
In addition to isolation, irritability, and aggression, men experiencing a mental health crisis can show the following signs:
Substance use
Escapist behaviors (gaming, sports, etc)
Excessive exercising
Risky behaviors (sex, fast driving, reckless spending)
If you feel like you or someone you know is showing signs of a mental health crisis, or even a mental health need, please do not hesitate to talk about it. There is no shame in speaking with a therapist or other qualified mental health provider. You can start by contacting your doctor or starting with a number like the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741.)
