June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to spotlight a reality that often goes unspoken: men are struggling—and far too many are doing it silently.
Despite increasing conversations around mental health, men are still less likely than women to seek therapy, talk about their emotions, or receive a diagnosis. Social conditioning, cultural expectations, and fear of being perceived as weak keep many men isolated in their pain.
But here’s the good news: with the right support, safe spaces, and a shift in how we engage, men can—and do—heal.
Whether you’re a friend, partner, therapist, or family member, your role in supporting men’s mental health is more powerful than you might think. Here’s how you can show up with compassion, clarity, and intention this month—and beyond.
1. Understand the Unique Pressures Men Face
Men are often taught to value stoicism, independence, and toughness over emotional expression. This can lead to:
- Suppressed emotions
- Difficulty identifying or articulating feelings
- Delayed help-seeking behavior
- Misdiagnosed or overlooked mental health conditions
Conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD may show up as irritability, workaholism, substance use, or emotional shutdown—which are less likely to be recognized as mental health red flags.
What you can do: Educate yourself on how mental health can present differently in men. Let go of assumptions. Practice curiosity over judgment.
2. Invite—Don’t Push—the Conversation
Instead of asking “Are you okay?” (which often gets a deflective “I’m fine”), try more open, non-threatening prompts:
- “What’s been on your mind lately?”
- “Has anything been feeling heavy or stressful for you?”
- “You’ve had a lot going on—how’s it all landing for you?”
Create low-pressure entry points. Invite vulnerability, but never demand it. Trust is built in micro-moments of safety.
Pro tip: Some men open up more while doing something together—driving, walking, fixing something. Side-by-side conversations can feel less intense than face-to-face.
And remember, silence doesn’t always mean avoidance. Sometimes, it’s a survival strategy—a pause, not a rejection. Honoring that can shift the energy from pressure to permission.
3. Normalize Therapy and Emotional Language
Many men didn’t grow up with emotional vocabulary. Words like overwhelmed, lonely, anxious, or ashamed might not come naturally—and that’s okay.
What helps:
- Model the language yourself (“I’ve been feeling pretty drained this week. Talking to someone helped.”)
- Share how therapy has supported you or others
- Recommend podcasts, books, or reels that feature men speaking openly about mental health (e.g., Man Enough, The Imperfects)
You might also encourage reflective questions, such as:
- “What do you wish you could say but haven’t found the words for yet?”
- “Is there something you’ve been carrying alone that doesn’t belong to you?”
The more men see emotional expression modeled, the safer it feels to try it themselves.
4. Drop the Fix-It Mentality
Sometimes, the best support isn’t solving—it’s staying present.
Men are often taught to fix problems and expect others to do the same. But mental health isn’t a mechanical issue—it’s human and layered.
Instead of offering advice right away, try:
- “That sounds really hard. I’m here with you.”
- “I don’t have an answer, but I’m glad you told me.”
- “What kind of support would feel good right now?”
When you create space instead of solutions, you invite deeper trust.
Bonus insight: Active listening—without judgment or agenda—is one of the most underused and powerful tools we have. Be a mirror, not a manual.
5. Support Healthy Coping (Not Numbing)
Coping isn’t always healthy. Many men turn to alcohol, work, or avoidance to numb what they haven’t been allowed to feel.
Gently encourage healthier alternatives:
- Movement (even a walk can regulate the nervous system)
- Journaling or creative outlets
- Therapy or coaching
- Connection with trusted friends or peers
If you’re a therapist or coach: Be trauma-informed. Offer male-friendly entry points. Acknowledge cultural and emotional barriers without pathologizing them.
Also explore somatic-based practices or expressive therapies—sometimes healing happens not through talking, but through breath, movement, or creative expression.
6. Respect Autonomy While Staying Close
Support doesn’t mean control. If someone isn’t ready to open up or get help, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means they’re still protecting themselves.
What you can do:
- Let them know you’re available—no pressure, no timeline
- Check in periodically in non-invasive ways
- Celebrate small moments of vulnerability
- Hold the door open
Healing happens in relationship, but readiness happens in its own time.
Even gentle acts—like texting a funny meme or offering a coffee drop-off—can help build connection without expectation.
7. Advocate for Structural Change
Support isn’t just personal—it’s cultural.
Speak up about:
- Toxic masculinity and outdated gender roles
- The need for accessible, stigma-free mental health care
- Representation of emotionally healthy men in media
Encourage workplaces, schools, and communities to offer more mental health education and support tailored to men’s experiences.
You can also:
- Volunteer with organizations that support men’s mental health
- Host discussions or book clubs centered around men’s emotional wellness
- Encourage healthcare providers to consider gender-informed care
8. Honor the Courage It Takes to Heal
This month, and every month, let’s drop the outdated idea that strength means silence.
Healing is courageous. Vulnerability is strength. And the men in our lives deserve to be seen not just as providers or protectors—but as full, feeling human beings.
To the men navigating their mental health journeys: we see you. We support you. We need you.
Let’s create a world where men don’t have to heal alone.
Resources to Share
- HeadsUpGuys.org – For men facing depression
- Man Therapy – Mental health with humor and honesty
- Therapy for Black Men – Therapist directory and mental health education
- Movember.com – Advocacy and awareness campaigns
- The Book of Man – Culture and conversation for modern men
- Dads Matter UK – Support for new and expectant fathers
