June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. The occasion marks a time for societal discussions on pressing mental health issues that men face. There has been a great deal of work to break stigmas and normalize men having conversations about depression, suicide, PTSD and other psychological and emotional challenges. But mere talk is not enough.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2023, males accounted for nearly 80% of suicide deaths. While women attempt suicide more, suicide in men is often more fatal because of males being more likely to use firearms, act more suddenly, and use alcohol and drugs to cope, increasing suicide risk.
In addition to suicide risk, there is more talk regarding depression in men. A 2021 article published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reported that 1 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode, representing 8.3% of all U.S. adults. Women are more at risk for a major depressive episode. However, it is not uncommon for depression in men to be under or misdiagnosed due to long held beliefs men can “get over it” with enough willpower and time.
As a man who has lived with a mental health diagnosis for years, I can attest that is a myth. And, I am not alone in that sentiment. Male celebrities known for their strength, charm or resolve like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kid Cudi, Brad Pitt and a host of others have had candid talks about their mental health struggles. The reality begs us to consider, “If these men, with their wealth, resources, and talents can go through that and be honest, why can’t the rest of us?”
It’s OK for the rest of us to step out from the shadows and be truthful with ourselves, other men and our families. When having this conversation with others who are more resistant to the notion of mental health awareness for men, I often point to this scenario: If you tore your pectoral muscle while bench pressing in the gym, would you keep going? People usually respond with something like, “Well no, anyone with an ounce of sense would stop and get to a doctor”.
I challenge those people and anyone reluctant to acknowledge this issue to consider their response. In the gym injury scenario, of course you would stop and go seek medical attention. You would not want to cause any further damage to your pecs. You would want to heal properly so you can get back to the gains. So, why and how is your mental health any different? Would not the most reasonable thing to do would be to seek the right treatment so you can live your best life again?
But to be fair, seeking mental treatment is far from easy. It requires honesty, transparency and vulnerability. Couple that reality with the fact men are significantly underrepresented in the U.S. psychology workforce. According to an analysis done by the American Institute for Boys and Men, men make up 18% of social workers and 20% of psychologists. Not having enough male mental health workers means men may not be able to speak comfortably about common issues, further driving them away from seeking help.
Men are facing struggles in other areas of life as well, including their relationships and employment. A 2023 Pew Research Center article reported 63% of men under 30 describe themselves as single, compared with 34% of women in the same age group.
As for unemployment, there has been a lot of discussion over falling labor force participation. Per May 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the labor participation rate for men over 16 was 67.8%, which is significantly lower than in previous decades.
These issues are not directly related to mental health and have a host of factors driving them from shifting societal norms to changes in the job market. But they do point to concerning trends in men’s overall well-being. Men are at a crossroads in America. We are faced with tough decisions on how men can healthily engage in work, relationships and our communities. Men thriving in society is an issue with far-reaching implications for how our country will run now and in the future — and mental health is a core dimension we can no longer pay empty lip service to it every June.
We need more acceptance of men getting mental health treatment. We need conversations around men’s mental health to just not be something no longer taboo, but routine as discussions about prostate health, muscle/fitness and healthy testosterone levels. We need careers in psychological services to be introduced to men and seen as viable career paths.
And perhaps more than anything, we can no longer see health as a zero sum game. Giving time, attention and resources to men’s health does not, nor should, take any away from women’s health. The health of our society’s future depends on both being taken way more seriously.
Featured image: Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
Edited by James Sutton
