“Breaking the stigma around men's mental health relies on men allowing themselves to feel rather than "push through," share their feelings, and recognize that therapy is not just for people with severe problems—it is a nonjudgemental place to talk about whatever is getting in the way of you enjoying life.”
I’m so glad you’re here - really.
Only about 40% of men with mental health issues seek professional help (4).
Men are socialized to avoid talking about emotions other than anger (3).
1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety daily (2).
Depressive symptoms directly increase the likelihood for men's non-disclosure of mental distress (1).
Depressive symptoms increase the likelihood for non-disclosure through loneliness and conformity to masculine norms (1).
The biggest cause of mental health issues in men’s lives are work (32%), their finances (31%) and their health (23%) (4).
No, I’m unfortunately not making this up:
Wagner AJM, Reifegerste D. Real men don’t talk? Relationships among depressiveness, loneliness, conformity to masculine norms, and male non-disclosure of mental distress. SSM - Mental Health. 2024;5:100296. doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100296
Mental Health America (MHA). Infographic: mental health for men. Accessed May 9, 2024. https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men
Smith DT, Mouzon DM, Elliott M. Reviewing the assumptions about men’s mental health: an exploration of the gender binary. Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(1):78-89. doi:10.1177/1557988316630953
40% of men won’t talk to anyone about their mental health. Accessed May 9, 2024. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/40-of-men-wont-talk-to-anyone-about-their-mental-health