Researched and written by Isabella Howard.

Breaking the silence: understanding men’s mental health

“Men don’t cry”.
How many times have you heard this? Or, perhaps even said it to someone?

75% of deaths by suicide are male.
Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. (Mental Health UK).

I think it’s time we rethink society’s stigmas, don’t you?

In the pursuit of health and wellness for all, the conversation around mental health has gained significant traction in recent years. However, one demographic often overlooked within this discourse is men. Society has long reinforced the idea that men must embody strength, fearlessness and unyielding resilience. While these traits can be seen as admirable, they have inadvertently contributed to a culture where men feel discouraged or even ashamed to address their mental health challenges.

Barriers to seeking help

Due to these societal stereotypes, a common barrier men face is the fear of judgement, feeling like a failure or anxiety that they won’t be heard and listened to. Of course, these are common feelings among anyone thinking of seeking help or starting a conversation about their mental health which is why not only do we need to battle stigmas around men’s mental health, but around mental health as a whole. We must treat it with the seriousness we treat physical health. If you broke your leg, you would want to go to the doctors and let them help you fix it wouldn’t you? Well, that is exactly how we must look at our mental health. Sometimes, we can’t fight things on our own and that is totally ok! We need to collectively break down these barriers, by speaking up about mental health. It’s not a taboo subject, it is simply part of life. The more we normalise conversations without whispering the words ‘depression’, ‘anxiety’ or ‘anorexia’ the more we will create a society which empowers people to overcome their challenges by simply having the courage to take the first step- a conversation.

Vulnerability as strength

Vulnerability is not weakness. In fact, many would say that choosing to show your vulnerability is a much more courageous act than glossing over an issue and being afraid to face it. As American football player and wrestler, Alex Karras once said, “It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more ‘manhood’ to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind”.

Encouraging conversations

Humans are not a species which are supposed to survive alone. We are social beings and rely on the strong interconnectivity of our lives to prosper. This also applies to mental health. Conditions such as depression and anxiety can be crippling and totally draining to the extent that even everyday tasks can seem like an impossible mountain to climb. Although you might think what will a conversation do to cure this? And you would be right, a conversation will not suddenly lift all your problems off your shoulders, however what a conversation does do is enable you to break the cycle, take the first step and be supported. That first step, just a couple of words is the hardest part. From there, you are not alone and the next battle you face will be with people who have your back the whole way.

Call to action

The problems around men’s mental health is not just a man’s problem; we must all take accountability. Breaking down societal norms starts with one person choosing to change their mindset and having the courage to inspire another to do the same. 

Let’s pave the way for a future where seeking help is a sign of strength, and men feel empowered to prioritise their mental health without fear or hesitation.