How Can You Support Men's Mental Health: 7 Practical Tips?
A lot of men struggle with their mental health but feel they can't talk about it or seek help. The fear and stigma of being seen as weak or vulnerable has caused many men to ignore their emotions and any signs of mental health challenges.
This has created a situation where men silently struggle with their mental health until they finally break down from the unresolved stress, anxiety, depression, etc. In fact, mental health statistics show that men account for about 75–80% of deaths by suicide.
This is why it is important that we try to prioritize and support the mental health of the men around us. We need to contribute to an environment where men feel free to speak up and seek help.
In this article, I will be sharing a few simple but powerful ways we can support the mental health of our fathers, brothers, partners and other men in our lives.
Why Men's Mental Health Matters
Supporting and prioritizing men's mental health is very important as it allows men to express their emotions, talk about how they feel and get mental health support.
Society places a pressure on men to be providers, strong, and not show weakness. These creates an environment where men try to meet these standards at the risk of their mental and physical health. This is why we need to take steps to support men's mental health and remove the stigma around it.
By supporting men's mental health, we are saying, 'let men be human.' They should be allowed to ask for help without society judging them. They should be allowed to talk about their feelings and emotions without being labeled as weak.
Signs That a Man is Struggling with His Mental Health
When men are struggling with their mental health, you notice signs and behaviors like:
- Withdrawal and isolation from their friends.
- Alcohol and drug abuse.
- Getting angry constantly even over little things.
- Reckless behaviors like gambling, unsafe sex, etc.
- Suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
- Changes in appetite (weight gain or weight loss).
- Physical violence, etc.
7 Ways You Can Support Men's Mental Health.
Here are a seven ways we can support men's mental health:
- Encourage and Normalize Having Conversations about Mental Health: One of the ways you can support the mental health of the men in your life is by creating space for honest conversations. You need to encourage them to open up and let them know it is okay to talk about how they are feeling.
However, this conversation can only happen in an environment of trust. And the best way to build that trust is to encourage open mental health conversations from the start.
Talk about your own mental health struggles and encourage them to talk about theirs too. Talk about solutions and how you cope with your own mental health challenges.
The more consistently you have these open, safe conversations, the more likely the men around you will feel supported and comfortable reaching out to you.
- Be Ready to Listen Without Judgement in Any Form: One of the reasons men's mental health is ignored is because of the stigma associated with it. Men don't want to talk or express their emotions because they know they can be judged by people around them as weak or unmanly.
But this is wrong. We need to encourage men to be expressive and be ready to listen to them without judgement whether in words or facial expressions. Let them know you care and would not judge or dismiss their feelings when they come to you.
- Encourage the Men in Your Life to Take Breaks and Rest: Many men are so obsessed about work and forget to take breaks. One of the reasons for this is the pressure brought by society that they are providers and their worth depends on their financial success. This is why a large number of men suffer from chronic stress and anxiety.
How to encourage them to take breaks:
- Remind them that rest is good and not a sign of laziness.
- Invite them for walks and fun outings where work is not discussed.
- Encourage and Support Them in Getting Professional Help/Support: From birth, men have been conditioned by society to see seeking help as a sign of weakness. This discourages them from reaching out even when they need it.
However, having professional mental health support can go a long way. For example, a therapist can recommend better healthy coping mechanisms rather than relying on alcohol and drugs.
Furthermore, therapy can be a really great opportunity to talk about things they might be afraid to tell you or other people.
So, be that supportive voice that encourages the men in your life to get help. You can offer to help them find a therapist` and even go with them to their therapy sessions.
You can book a therapy session here
- Do Not Downplay or Laugh About Their Feelings/Emotions: This is very common nowadays. When a man talks about his experiences and feelings, we tend to downplay it and make them feel uncool for expressing themselves.
We use hurtful words and sometimes laugh at them for being expressive. This is not encouraging and it needs to stop.
Every time we dismiss a man’s vulnerability, we reinforce the idea that he has to suffer in silence. So, we must learn how to act and speak compassionately when a man is speaking up about his struggles.
Note: Yes, you want to support men's mental health but you should also try to respect their boundaries. You don’t need to pressure anyone to open up if they are not ready. Sometimes, being present, non-judgmental, and patient can be the best support.
- Show Unconditional Acceptance: Many men think that their self-worth is tied to what they can provide. So, when they are struggling financially or unable to meet certain expectations, they may start to feel worthless. But this is not true and it is up to us to remind them of that.
Let the men in your life know that you value them not just for what they do, but for who they are. One way to do this is to stop bringing up or comparing them to other people’s success, especially when they are already under pressure.
- Contribute to More Awareness around Men's Mental Health: Everyone has a role to play in breaking the silence around men’s mental health. Here are some ways you can help create more awareness around men's mental health:
- Share posts on your social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp status, LinkedIn, etc.
- Repost helpful content like this that educates people and challenges harmful stereotypes.
- Use your voice to start conversations with friends, family, or your community.
- Support campaigns or organizations focused on men’s mental health.
Note: No effort is too small. Every time you speak up, post, or share a resource, you are helping to create a safer and more supportive world for men to open up.
Also Read: How to Deal with Anxiety and Stop Worrying
Conclusion
Supporting men’s mental health is not just a trend. It is a necessary step toward creating a healthier and more compassionate society where men’s feelings are valued.
By encouraging open conversations, listening without judgment, respecting boundaries, and showing unconditional support, we can make a huge difference. Let us remind the men in our lives that they are human too and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
How to Reduce the Stigma Around Men's Mental Health in Nigeria?
According to the WHO, around 700,000 people in the world die by suicide yearly and men make up nearly half of those numbers.
Yet, men's mental health continues to be overlooked and many men still suffer in silence. This is mainly due to the stigma surrounding men's mental health. For too long, society has taught our men to suppress their emotions, and avoid seeking help, even when they are struggling. This has led to a situation where many men suffer from anxiety, depression, etc., but can’t speak up about their struggles.
If we really want to see more men speak out and receive the mental health support they need, then we must break this stigma.
So, in this article, our focus shall be on how we can reduce the stigma around men's mental health, especially in Nigeria.
Causes of The Stigma Around Men's Mental Health
Before we talk about how we can reduce stigma around men’s mental health in Nigeria, we need to know why this stigma exists.
Some of the causes are:
- ‘Men don't cry’ Stereotype: This stereotype places a burden on men to hide their feelings or emotions. From a young age, men are taught to 'be strong' and not complain even when life gets tough. They are expected to stay silent and hold everything in at all times. As a result, many men end up suppressing their emotions for a long period of time. These eventually leads to stress, depression, self-harm, etc.
- ‘Asking for help as a man is a sign of weakness’ Beliefs: This assumption has caused many men to bottle their feelings and emotions at all costs. They refuse to talk about it or ask for support due to the fear of being seen as ‘unmanly’. Our men are expected to ‘be a man’ and be " tough" even when they need help.
This belief doesn’t just discourage men from opening up; It also discourages men from seeking mental health treatment even when they need it.
Sadly, this is one of the reasons why most men turn to alcohol and drug abuse to cope with their unspoken pain.
- ‘A man's worth is tied to his financial success" Belief: In many cultures including Nigeria, a man's value is often measured by his financial success. Men are expected to be the provider, the breadwinner and the one who bears all the financial burden.
And when they can't meet those expectations, they are seen as failures. These has caused many men to work hard at the cost of their physical and mental health.
Today, many men in our society suffer from burnout, stress, depression due to the pressure placed on them by society to be financially stable at all costs.
How Can We Reduce the Stigma Around Men's Mental Health in Nigeria?
To reduce and eliminate the stigma around men's mental health, everyone has a part to play, both as an individual and as a society
As a Society:
- Use Social Media and TV/Radio: Media is one of the most powerful tools we have. Social media platforms, TV shows, and radio programs should create more space for conversations about men’s mental health.
Campaigns and programs that openly discuss the emotional struggles men face and challenge harmful stereotypes can go a long way in normalizing the topic of men's mental health in Nigeria.
2. Involve Male Celebrities and Influencers: Using the influence and reach of male celebrities and influencers is a good way to create more awareness around men's mental health.
When well-known male figures speak up about their mental health journeys, it sends a powerful message to other men and the rest of the society. It also helps others realize that they are not alone and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
3. Spreading Mental Health Awareness through Male Communities: Another way to break the stigma around men's mental health is to promote it in settings and communities where men naturally gather like barbershops, gyms, football viewing centers, clubs, etc.
When mental health conversations start happening in these everyday environments, it feels more normal and less intimidating. Over time, this will help break the silence and normalize talking about emotions and seeking support among men.
4. Increase Access to Mental Health Resources: One of the major challenges in promoting men’s mental health awareness is that many men do not know where they can get mental health treatment even when they need help.
This is why mental health and counseling centers must step up their publicity efforts both offline and online. They should also carry out campaigns tailored specifically to men, using language and stories that resonates with them.
5. Promote Men's Mental Health at Work: As men spend a lot of time at work, employers should organize programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns that focus on men’s mental health. This will reduce the stigma around men’s mental health and encourage more men to speak up and get the support they need.
Also Read: How can Employers Support The Mental Health of Their Male Employees
6. Create More Safe Spaces for Men: We need more safe spaces created specifically for men. While there are plenty of support groups and communities for women, there aren’t nearly enough for men.
It could be a small, intentional setting where men can come together, talk openly without judgment, share their stories, and connect with other men who understand what they are going through. Examples include:
- Monthly men's hangout at a barbershop.
- A WhatsApp or Telegram group for men to check in on each other.
- A religious men’s group that also talks about mental health.
- A football or fitness group that creates time for mental health conversations.
As an Individual:
- Start Honest Conversations with Male Friends and Family Members: We need to start encouraging the men in our lives including our brothers, friends, partners, etc., to talk about their struggles. And when they do, we must listen without judgment.
This is very important especially if you are a man. No one can understand your feelings better than yourself. You need to be willing to have these discussions with your male friends. When they go to you to talk or they share their experiences and worries, don't make fun of them or dismiss their feelings.
The more we are open to having these conversations, the more the stigma around men's mental health reduces.
- Don't Invalidate the Feelings of Men around You: When a man opens up about his struggles, the worst thing you can do is to downplay his feelings or make fun of him, whether online or offline.
Statements like 'You are a man, ‘toughen up', etc., will only push men further into silence. If a man chooses to speak up, it means he trusts you. Don’t use that moment to belittle or ridicule his feelings.
Men have emotions too. And those emotions are valid.
Conclusion
Reducing the stigma around men’s mental health is not a one-person effort. It is something we must all work together to achieve. Whether it is starting honest conversations, creating safe spaces, or simply listening without judgment, every small action matters.
So, let us show up for the men in our lives. Let us remind them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
And if you are a man reading this, know that your feelings are valid. You deserve support, healing, and peace of mind just like anyone else.
At Mycarebuddy, we are committed to providing affordable mental health support for both men and women. If you want to talk to someone, book an appointment here. We are always ready to help you.