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Men’s Mental Health: An Overview

Robert Hinojosa, LCSW

Written by: Robert Hinojosa, LCSW

Published: November 2, 2021
Headshot of Robert Hinojosa, LCSW
Written by:

Robert Hinojosa

LCSW
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD

Men experience mental health issues at similar rates to women. Men experience a lot of stigma about mental health issues, and as a result may be reluctant to seek treatment. There’s no shame in seeking treatment for men’s mental health, and knowing what issues you are dealing with can be a great first step.

Sometimes, men have a difficult time sharing their emotions. Therapy is a safe and private place to deal with uncomfortagle feelings. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Men & Mental Health: An Overview of Facts & Stats

It is an understatement to say that mental health struggles in men is a topic fraught with stigma and weighty cultural norms. While there are many reasons for this, it’s important to know the facts when it comes to mental health and men.

The following are facts and statistics related to men’s mental health:1,2,3,4,5

  • Nearly 1 in 10 men experience anxiety or depression on a daily basis, but less than half of those men will ever seek treatment.
  • 60% of men will experience a traumatic event in their lives, compared to 50% of women. Men are more likely to experience accidents, physical assault, combat, disaster, or to witness death or injury.
  • Globally-speaking, 75% of those who die by suicide annually are men.
  • In the United States, white males accounted for almost 70% of deaths by suicide in 2019.
  • About 16.3% of males 18 and older in the US were diagnosed with a mental illness in 2019.
  • Only about 36% of males with a mental illness in the US actually receive treatment.

Suicide

75% of those who die by suicide annually worldwide are men.3 Suicide is also the 2nd leading cause of death in the USA for those 12-24 years old, with LGBTQ+ people being twice as likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.7. One reason for this is that impulsivity and violence tend to be higher in males, leading them to be more likely to engage in riskier behavior, and complete suicide if attempted. Not only this, but males tend to be less likely to seek treatment for mental health conditions and are more likely to abuse substances, which can worsen depression.

There are options for getting help if you find that you are thinking about suicide.You can always call the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255 if you’re thinking about suicide. If you know someone who is dealing with thoughts of suicide, be sure to get them help.

Depression

Nearly 1 in 10 men experience anxiety or depression on a daily basis, but less than half of those men will ever seek treatment.1 Depression in men can have serious and fatal consequences. Depression is typically treated with a combination of pharmaceutical intervention and traditional therapy, usually a cognitive behavioral therapy approach.

Substance Use

22% of men have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year. About 11% of males age 12-20 report binge-drinking in 2018.8 We know men seek treatment at lower rates, which makes it more likely that substance abuse goes untreated in much of the male population. Substance abuse can complicate other mental health conditions, as well as promote risk-taking behaviors.

Typical treatment options for substance abuse include detoxification programs through in-patient hospitalization, intensive outpatient hospitalization programs, outpatient substance abuse therapy, and maintenance/accountability programs such as 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Celebrate Recovery.

Anger Issues

It may surprise you that both men and women experience anger at similar rates. However, the expression or anger and issues stemming from the inability to cope with anger is where differences are found. Men are much more likely to be diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder than women.9 The typical treatment options for anger issues in men  is a combination of medication and psychotherapy focused anger management.

Anxiety

About 2% of men in the USA can be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and roughly 20% of men will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.10,12 Men can develop anxiety symptoms for a variety of reasons from environmental, such as chronic stress from a job or living situation or poverty, to medical, such as having a heart condition or abnormal testosterone levels. Anxiety is typically treated through psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Trauma & PTSD

60% of men will experience a traumatic event in their lives.2 Men are more likely to experience accidents, physical assault, combat, disaster, or to witness death or injury. How one deals with trauma influences the outcome. Some men will experience an acute set of symptoms immediately following a trauma, usually diagnosed as acute stress disorder.

However, some will develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which has longer-term implications. The treatment options for both are similar, in that they involve psychotherapy treatment usually focused on desensitization to triggers, and processing through the trauma. Usually a cognitive behavioral approach is used.

Bipolar Disorder

2.3 million Americans are affected by bipolar disorder, and an equal amount of men and women develop the illness.11 Treatment for bipolar disorder consists primarily of pharmaceutical interventions paired with psychotherapy.

Eating Disorders

Men make up 10% of the population dealing with anorexia and bulimia, and 35% of those with binge-eating disorder.11 It is much less likely for men to seek treatment for eating disorders, even though it can be just as destructive in men as women. Eating disorders are typically treated through psychotherapy.

With men, while there can be elements of body image involved in eating disorders; men tend to use food as either a way to obtain a sense of control, or a way of coping with other emotions.

Sometimes, men have a difficult time sharing their emotions. Therapy is a safe and private place to deal with uncomfortagle feelings. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Addressing the Stigma of Mental Health for Men

Men have historically been raised to fit a certain mold of provider, protector, and source of stability. Things like admitting faults, facing vulnerability, and seeking help just don’t fit into this idyllic mold that society has fashioned. The term “toxic masculinity” has been thrown around a lot in recent years to refer to this notion that masculinity itself is an undesirable trait, and people on both sides of the spectrum have battled over their positions.

The real mental health stigma comes from expectations, both perceived and actual, that society in general and men’s families of origin have set up. “Masculinity” refers to the idea of what it is to be a male. There’s no set definition of masculinity other than what we give it. Therefore, masculinity is what you believe it is. Unfortunately, many men are raised to believe that being a man means being stoic in nature, unflinching, brave to a fault, and unneeding of assistance.6

The reality of what it means to be a man is different for each man, and changes with time. The idea of masculinity will change with time and society. What we do with the here and now, however, depends on us. Are we going to hold ourselves to unrealistic expectations of manhood, or create our own image of what it means to be a man?

Seeking help first requires you to admit that something is wrong or needs to change, and also admit that you are not in a position to fix it completely on your own. Be mindful that seeking and getting help and moving forward shows much more maturity than remaining stuck in your situation because of pride or a bruised image. Learning this lesson and passing it on is how we, as a society, can overcome unrealistic expectations of masculinity and move to a better place.

Seeking Treatment for Mental Health Issues in Men

There are lots of ways to find the right therapist or get more information on men’s mental health. One of the easiest and fastest ways to connect with a therapist is through  an online directory. A therapist can help any man get help for whatever mental health issues they may be facing.

How to Help a Man With Mental Health Concerns

The best way to help a man with a mental health concern is to listen to him and take him seriously if he’s opening up about some stuff. As noted before, it’s rare for a man in today’s society to open up about his struggles. Offer support if you’re capable, or help finding some support for him including any of the resources listed above.

Most importantly, don’t comment negatively about important things he is opening up about, or downplay his issues. Men get enough of people saying “man up” in some way or another in general, and laughing about serious issues rarely leads to someone getting help. Ultimately, if he’s open to seeking some help, encourage him to do just that.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists, who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Psychiatry, with you in mind

Talkiatry Our Psychiatrists Can Diagnose Your Condition, Prescribe Medication, And Monitor Your Progress. Most psychiatry visits cost patients $30 or less* Free Assessment

Drinking Moderation

Sunnyside Want to drink less? Sunnyside helps you ease into mindful drinking at your own pace. Think lifestyle change, not a fad diet. Develop new daily routines, so you maintain your new habits for life. Take a 3 Minute Quiz

Relationship Help

OurRelationship (Free Couples Course) OurRelationship has been proven to help couples improve communication, intimacy, and trust. 94% would recommend it to a friend. Get Started

Mental Health Support Group App

Circles Anytime, anonymous, and free. Never feel alone during life’s greatest challenges. Drop-in to live conversations and share thoughts, ask questions, or learn from others on the same journey. Join Circles Now

Mental Health Newsletter

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those interested in mental health, therapy and fighting stigma. Sent twice weekly. Sign Up

Choosing Therapy  Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Our Relationship, Circles, Sunnyside, and Talkiatry. *Includes all types of patient cost: copayment, deductible, and coinsurance. Excludes no shows and includes $0 Visits.

For Further Reading

  • If you think you or a loved one may be in immediate crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for resources and support at 800-273-8255.
  • Mental Health Self-Test from Mental Health America
  • Man Therapy | Men’s Mental Health Resources
  • Movember – Men’s Health – Mental health and suicide prevention
  • Mental Health & Well-being
Sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Feller, S. (June 12, 2015). CDC: Many men with depression, anxiety untreated. United Press International, Inc., 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/06/12/CDC-Many-men-with-depression-anxiety-untreated/7341434139241/

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (September 10, 2021). How Common is PTSD in Adults? Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp

  • White, A., & Ward, C. (2021). Men And Suicide. In Men’s Health (pp. 310-318). CRC Press.

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2021). Suicide Statistics. Retrieved from: https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (September 11, 2020). National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2019-nsduh-detailed-tables

  • Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH. Speaking of Psychology: How masculinity can hurt mental health. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/men-boys-health-disparities

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (February 29, 2016). Suicide and Violence Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/suicide-violence-prevention.htm

  • National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2021). Drug Abuse Statistics. Retrieved from https://drugabusestatistics.org/

  • Hinojosa, R. (November 19, 2020). Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments. Choosing Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/intermittent-explosive-disorder/

  • National Institute on Mental Health. (2021). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/generalized-anxiety-disorder

  • Mental Health America. (2021). Infographic: Mental Health For Men. Retrieved from https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men

  • McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal of psychiatric research, 45(8), 1027–1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006

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