Vibe Check Practice

Behind the smile, the silence, or the “I’m fine,” there’s often more going on than we realise.

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the struggles that too many men face alone. Mental health doesn’t always look like what we expect—and for many men, it’s hidden beneath quiet suffering, pressure to stay strong, and fear of being judged.

In this article, we’ll explore why men’s mental health matters, how it affects everyone—not just men—and what we can do to support healing, openness, and real emotional well-being. We’ll talk about the stigma that keeps men from reaching out, and the rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide that remind us: this conversation can’t wait.

Key statistics on men’s mental health

Men are far less likely to talk about their mental health, and much less likely to seek help. This silence can have serious, even deadly, consequences.

• According to CDC, men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the U.S., with suicide rates nearly 4x higher than women.
• According to NIMH, 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety—but only a fraction receive treatment
• Men are more likely to turn to substance abuse rather than therapy as a coping mechanism.
• LGBTQ+ men and men of color face increased mental health risks due to discrimination, stigma, and systemic barriers.

Despite these facts, awareness is low, and stigma remains high—especially in male-dominated spaces or cultures that discourage vulnerability.

Mental Health Affects All Genders

While June focuses on men’s mental health, mental illness doesn’t discriminate by gender. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout are human experiences. Yet, each gender faces unique challenges:

• Women are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety, but they’re also more likely to seek help.
• Nonbinary and LGBTQ+ individuals experience much higher rates of mental distress due to marginalization.
• Men often feel pressure to “tough it out,” leading to isolation and untreated illness.

What’s Holding Us Back from Getting Help?

For many men—and honestly, for a lot of people—asking for help can feel harder than pretending everything’s okay. There’s this unspoken rule that says you have to be strong, silent, and in control. Vulnerability? That’s often seen as weakness. And that mindset can be deeply isolating.

Sometimes, it’s shame or stigma that keeps people quiet. Other times, it’s cultural expectations—the belief that being a man means you have to deal with things on your own. For some, the barriers are practical: therapy is too expensive, too far away, or simply not available. And often, people don’t even realize what they’re going through has a name—or that it’s okay to ask for help.

These aren’t just obstacles. They’re walls built over time, reinforced by silence. But the good news? We can break them down—together.

How to Support Mental Health (For Yourself and Others)

1. Start with awareness
Understand the signs of mental distress: mood changes, withdrawal, irritability, fatigue, or loss of interest in daily activities.

2. Encourage professional help
Therapy, counseling, and support groups can be life-changing. There’s no shame in asking for help.

3. Use available resources
There are many free or low-cost mental health resources tailored for men and inclusive of all genders (see below).

4. Be open and compassionate
Ask people how they’re doing. Really listen. You might be the only one who does.

Mental Health Is a Human Right

Mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s not a luxury, not a weakness, and definitely not something anyone should have to suffer through in silence. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month may put the spotlight on men, but the truth is, this conversation belongs to all of us.

Whether you’re struggling yourself or standing beside someone who is, your voice matters. By learning, listening, and showing up with compassion, we can start to shift the culture. We can build a world where mental health is treated with the care and respect it deserves—a world where asking for help is seen as strength, not shame.

Because no matter who you are or what you’re going through, you deserve to feel whole, heard, and supported.

Mental Health Resources

• HeadsUpGuys – Resources for men battling depression and suicidal thoughts
• The Trevor Project – Support for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis
• Mental Health Europe – Promotes mental health across Europe with resources for women, migrants, and LGBTQ+ groups
• 7 Cups – Free, global, anonymous chat support with trained listeners. Also offers professional therapy (paid) and support communities tailored to women and marginalized groups.

Corlissa Seah, Counsellor & Founder of Vibe Check Practice
Providing online therapy to support mental health and well-being

Book an appointment with us using this link!