Key takeaways

  • Men are less likely to reach out for mental health support due to societal stigmas that equate masculinity with being strong and self-reliant, making it difficult to acknowledge or express emotions.
  • Common signs of mental health conditions in men include anger, irritability, aggression, substance misuse, working longer hours, physical symptoms like digestive issues or sleep changes, and thoughts of suicide.
  • Treatment options include talk therapy, support groups, and medications, which can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Mental health conditions can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and populations. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5.7% of adults globally have depression.

While both men and women are affected by mental health conditions, the symptoms may vary, as well as how often and how likely they are to reach out for help.

Researchers note that men are less likely to reach out for mental health support, often due to societal and cultural stigmas regarding gender roles and emotional regulation.

Keep reading to learn more about how mental health affects men, including key facts, signs, causes, and support resources.

Disclaimer language

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

There’s a common assumption that women are more likely to have mental health conditions than men, especially when it comes to depression. But that doesn’t mean men aren’t affected.

According to the WHO, depression affects 4.6% of adult men and 6.9% of adult women.

At first glance, these figures make it seem that depression may be a bigger problem in women than in men. However, other statistics paint a more complex picture.

For instance, less than half of men with depression reach out for treatment, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

In the United States, around 4 in 10 men receive treatment for mental illness, while almost 6 in 10 women receive treatment. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, only 36% of referrals for mental health therapies to the National Health Service (NHS) are for men.

Lastly, depression and mental health conditions may be a bigger risk factor for suicide among men than for women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men accounted for 4 in 5 deaths by suicide in 2023.

Experts are increasingly acknowledging the complex factors that contribute to differences in how men and women experience mental health issues.

While biological factors, such as hormonal differences, can play a role, they don’t tell the whole story. Internalized gender stereotypes, coping strategies, and clinical bias, among other things, may also impact assumptions about who experiences mental health conditions.

Men can experience a wide range of mental health conditions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), some common ones include:

Men and women can sometimes experience the same mental health condition in different ways due to a mix of biological and social factors.

Behavioral symptoms of mental health conditions in men might include:

  • anger
  • aggression
  • irritability
  • frustration
  • trouble concentrating
  • persistent feelings of worry
  • engagement in high risk activities
  • unusual behavior that concerns others or gets in the way of daily life
  • thoughts of suicide

A 2023 review also makes a distinction between “masculine or male” symptoms of depression and “non-masculine” symptoms, stating that signs of the former may also include:

  • working longer hours
  • drinking more alcohol
  • misusing drugs
  • smoking tobacco
  • not reaching out for support

Some mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, may also cause physical symptoms that people might ignore, including:

  • changes in appetite and energy
  • new aches and pains
  • digestive issues
  • trouble sleeping
  • sleeping more than usual

Often, friends and family are the first to notice symptoms, as it can be difficult to recognize them when you’re experiencing them.

The NIMH notes that men are less likely to reach out for help and have received less mental health treatment than women in the past year.

According to a 2025 review, this is largely due to men’s mental health stigma, in which deeply-embedded cultural, societal, and gender norms consider it “unmasculine” for a man to express their emotions or feelings, especially those related to sadness and loneliness.

Some of these norms equate masculinity with being “strong, self-reliant, stoic, and successful,” often linking this with managing one’s emotions without seeking help.

Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, said, “men can find it more difficult being open about their mental health and seeking support because it’s likely to go against the kinds of messages they received growing up.”

According to the review authors, this is a form of social conditioning that impedes a person’s ability to recognize or share their emotions.

While men may be less likely to seek support, experts are focusing on implementing support programs, tools, and safe spaces for men to share their emotions and break down stigmas that prevent men from getting help.

Reaching out for help is often one of the most difficult parts of managing any health condition.

However, support groups, talk therapy, and other mental health treatments are effective ways to manage symptoms and can help improve your overall mood and quality of life.

Here are some tips to get started when reaching out for support.

Talk with a healthcare professional

Consider speaking with a primary care doctor or a mental health specialist in person, online, or via telephone. They can assess your symptoms and help develop an appropriate treatment plan.

It’s important to note that what is said between you and a healthcare professional is most often confidential, so other people won’t discover what it is you’re saying or worried about.

Search online

Several online directories can help connect you with a mental health specialist. Directories are especially helpful if you’re looking for a particular type of therapy or prefer a male therapist, because the tools allow you to filter your search.

Some examples include:

Make some calls (or send some emails)

Before scheduling an appointment, reach out to therapists you’re interested in seeing. Give them a brief background on what you’d like to address, as well as what you’re looking for in a therapist.

  • Do you want someone who’s available for night or weekend appointments?
  • What about text support in between sessions?
  • Are you interested in trying teletherapy, or would you prefer in-person sessions?

If you have health insurance, this is a good time to ask about that, too. Therapy isn’t always covered, but some therapists will provide documentation you can submit to an insurance provider for reimbursement.

During the appointment

A therapist will likely spend the first session getting to know you. This is also an opportunity for you to get to know their approach, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions about what you can expect from future sessions.

It’s important you feel comfortable talking with the expert you choose. If you feel like you aren’t “clicking” with your therapist after a few sessions, you can always explore other options. Plenty of people have to see a few therapists before they find someone who’s a good fit.

If you need help now

Reach out to a trained counselor at any time, any day of the year, for free, confidential support:

Crisis counselors can listen with compassion, help you explore in-the-moment coping strategies, and offer more resources for support.

Learn more: Suicide Prevention Resource Guide

Everyone can benefit from self-care, including men. While working with a mental health professional can be a big help, there are plenty of things you can do to support yourself between sessions.

Dr. Elena Touroni highlighted diet, sleep, and exercise as factors, but explained that “we also need to make sure we’re looking after our emotional well-being.”

And sometimes, that means being “able to acknowledge and stay with feelings — especially the uncomfortable ones — instead of pushing them away or denying them.”

Sitting with uncomfortable feelings is easier said than done, and that can make it easy to fall into unhelpful coping mechanisms, like substance use or ignoring emotions.

While both of these might offer short-term benefits, neither will provide long-lasting relief. In some cases, they might even create long-term issues.

The next time you find yourself experiencing an uncomfortable feeling or emotion, try:

As you explore different ways to manage your emotions, be gentle with yourself. If you don’t reach for the “perfect” coping mechanisms on a bad day, don’t beat yourself up. There will always be another opportunity to practice new strategies.

Healthline’s Bezzy for Depression

If you’re looking to connect with other people with your condition, resources like Healthline’s Bezzy for Depression offer an online space for community, peer and expert guidance, and support.

As a Bezzy member, you can participate in forum discussions, weekly live chats, and have access to in-app one-to-one messages.

Talking about what you’re going through with a friend can also be a big help, but that may be difficult if your friends are also men who might have a hard time opening up.

Mark Meier, the executive director of the Face It Foundation, said it’s important for men to “learn to understand the nuances of emotion” and recognize that negative emotions are “normal and recurring emotions throughout life.”

He recommended “finding someone that you can speak openly with about your personal challenges and open yourself up to growing more in-depth relationships with others.”

Your therapist can certainly be that person, but you might also find it helpful to open up to a peer.

You can try starting the conversation with something like, “I’ve been going through a lot. Do you have time to catch up later this week?”

If you feel up for it, you can also make yourself available to a friend in need with a simple, “I noticed you’ve seemed kind of down lately. Just want you to know I’m always available to talk if you need it.”

Experts estimate that just under 5 in 10 men have depression. But these figures may be slightly lower than reality, since men are less likely to reach out for mental health support.

Yes, statistics show that men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Mental health can be hard to think about. And identifying that you’re having difficulty or might need help isn’t always easy — particularly for men.

However, it’s best to speak out. Whether you open up to a friend or family member or consult your doctor, there’s help out there, and ways to help manage your mental health yourself, too.

Adam England is a freelance writer and journalist. His work has appeared in publications including The Guardian, Euronews, and VICE UK. He focuses on health, culture, and lifestyle. When he’s not writing, he’s probably listening to music.