Every November, many people grow mustaches in support of Movember: an annual campaign that raises awareness for men’s health issues, particularly mental health and suicide prevention. The Movember Foundation started in 2003, combining the words “mustache” and “November” to encourage men to grow mustaches throughout the month and raise awareness for physical and mental health issues.
Movember
Men’s mental health
Suicide prevention
Stigma & masculinity
But the reality is that growing facial hair is the easy part: having honest conversations about mental health is where many men struggle.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether something you’re experiencing might be a mental health issue, or if you think a man in your life might be suffering, you’re not alone. Understanding what’s happening and knowing where to turn for help can feel overwhelming. This guide helps you recognize the signs, understand why these conversations are so difficult, and take meaningful steps toward getting support.
The Silent Crisis: Understanding Men’s Mental Health by the Numbers
The statistics around men’s mental health paint an important story about the male experience and room for growth. Over 6 million men suffer from depression annually, but depression in men often goes under diagnosed. Even more alarming, on average, one man dies from suicide every minute globally.
Suicide is more prevalent than some people realize. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of death. In fact, U.S. data in 2022 found that an estimated 23.1% of adults had a mental illness. Perhaps most troubling for men, though, is the treatment gap: One in 10 men will experience anxiety and depression, yet less than half of them will receive treatment for it.
The gap between suffering and getting help isn’t only about access: it’s about the deeply ingrained barriers that make it difficult for men to even acknowledge they’re struggling, let alone ask for support. The good news? Movember is the perfect opportunity to change that in yourself or someone you love.
Why the Conversation Is So Hard: Breaking Down the Barriers
If you’ve ever thought, “I should probably talk to someone about this,” but couldn’t bring yourself to do it, you’re experiencing something millions of men face. The barriers to seeking help are real, deeply rooted, and multifaceted.
The Weight of Traditional Masculinity
Men are subjected to a culture where the standards of masculinity are hurting them. From a young age, many boys are taught to suppress emotions through messages like “boys don’t cry” or “be a man about it.”
This is not new to society, as ideas of masculinity have long been tied to ideals like stoicism, dominance, and self-reliance. These traits are celebrated as strengths but often act as barriers to emotional well-being, discouraging men from expressing vulnerability, recognizing they need support, or seeking help.
Stigma: The Double Burden
Connected to masculinity is the social stigma around men’s mental health. This framework prevents them from seeking help and services they might actually benefit from. It operates on multiple levels, both externally from society and internally as men judge themselves for struggling.
On the public level, stigma amplifies this silence and portrays men who seek help as ‘weak’ or ‘unmanly’. Social pressure to conform reinforces emotional suppression, trapping men in a cycle of avoidance. While negative perceptions of mental health can affect all individuals, men have unique considerations when navigating this complicated landscape.
Read More: Ready to Overcome Mental Health Stigma? Start Here
Symptoms Look Different in Men
One reason men’s mental health issues often go undiagnosed is that symptoms can manifest differently than the “textbook” descriptions many people recognize.
While men experience many of the same mental health conditions as women, their symptoms often present differently. Rather than openly expressing sadness or fear, men may be more likely to:
Experience emotional withdrawal
This means that rather than feeling sad, men might experience depression but not realize it because they’re irritable and angry: emotions that feel more acceptable for men to express.
The Isolation Factor
Rates of male suicide completion have risen, and so has male loneliness. Consider these facts about isolation and men’s mental health:
- Only 27% of men report having six or more close friends, compared to 41% of women
- Social isolation itself can be both a symptom and a contributing factor to mental health challenges
If you’ve noticed that you’re increasingly alone, turning down invitations, or feeling disconnected from people who used to matter to you, this could be a sign you don’t want to overlook.
Starting the Conversation Around Men’s Mental Health
One of Movember’s most valuable contributions is the ALEC model: a simple framework to help guide conversations about mental health. Whether you’re reaching out for help yourself or checking in on someone else, having a roadmap can make the conversation less daunting.
A
Ask
Start by asking how someone is feeling. It’s worth mentioning any changes you’ve noticed. For yourself, this might mean reaching out to a trusted friend or family member and saying, “I need to talk about something I’ve been dealing with.”
L
Listen
Give the person space to talk without judgment. If you’re the one opening up, choose someone who has shown empathy and understanding in the past.
E
Encourage Action
Gently encourage seeking professional support. This isn’t about pushing: it’s about offering options and resources.
C
Check In
Follow up. Mental health struggles don’t resolve in a single conversation. Regular check-ins show ongoing support and care.
Tips for Men Seeking Help
If you’re struggling to open up about how you’re feeling, try talking while doing an activity alongside someone you trust. This could be while:
- on a walk
- playing or watching sports
- fixing a car
- playing pool
It can feel less intimidating to talk ‘alongside’ someone, rather than face-to-face. One way to start this conversation is by seeking a trusted friend or family member and sharing your experiences. You don’t have to have everything figured out or know exactly what’s wrong. Starting with “I haven’t been feeling like myself lately” or “I’ve been dealing with some things I can’t seem to shake” is a good place to start.
Self-Assessment: Taking the First Step Toward Clarity
For many men experiencing mental health challenges, one of the biggest obstacles is simply not knowing what they’re dealing with. You might feel “off” but can’t put your finger on why. This uncertainty can itself become a barrier to seeking help. After all, how do you ask for help when you don’t know what’s wrong?
If this sounds like you, rest assured: this is where self-assessment tools are incredibly valuable. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to see what mental health symptoms you might be experiencing. It’s free, quick, confidential, and backed up by science.
Finding the Right Support: Your Options for Treatment
Once you’ve recognized that something isn’t right and you’re ready to seek help, the next question might be: Where do I start? There are multiple pathways to support, and you can choose the approach that feels right for you.
Therapy: More Than Just Talk
Men are typically less inclined to engage in traditional therapy approaches, but therapy has evolved significantly over the years. Evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and solution-focused approaches align well with how many men prefer to work through problems: they’re action-oriented, practical, and focused on developing specific strategies and skills.
Therapy allows you to understand your condition, dig into what your triggers are, and learn coping mechanisms so you can manage your symptoms. For many men, therapy provides a safe space to share struggles and begin to heal.
But just starting therapy is not the whole picture: finding the right therapist matters, too. At GoodTherapy, our comprehensive search filters allow you to find providers based on specific issues, treatment approaches, and even practical considerations like insurance, location, and availability. You can filter for therapists who specialize in men’s issues, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or more.
Read More: Ready to Find Your Therapist? Take Our Quiz
In some cases, medication can be used to treat mental health issues. This may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, or mood stabilizers. Medication can help manage symptoms and improve overall mental health, but healthcare professionals should always be the ones prescribing and monitoring your medications.
Support groups provide a safe space for men to share their experiences, connect with others going through similar challenges, and receive emotional support. Many men find that hearing from others who understand what they’re going through reduces feelings of isolation.
Lifestyle habits can also impact mental health in unexpected ways. Don’t overlook the importance of eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and practicing stress-management techniques, as these can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and promote overall well-being.
The most effective mental health treatment often combines multiple approaches. For example, you might work with a therapist while also taking medication, joining a support group, and making lifestyle changes. There’s no single “right” way to approach mental health treatment: the best approach is the one that works for you.
Beyond November: Making Mental Health a Year-Round Priority
Movember brings critical attention to men’s mental health for one month each year, but mental health doesn’t follow a monthly schedule. The conversations, awareness, and action that Movember inspires need to extend into every month, week, and day.
If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or are in immediate crisis, know that help is available right now, 24/7.
Immediate Crisis Support
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7
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If you think you or someone else might be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
When it comes to men’s mental health, there’s no need to suffer alone. Reaching out during a crisis isn’t weakness: it’s the strongest thing you can do.
Resources:
The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.