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.