When we talk about mental health, men are often left out of the conversation. They’re told to “man up,” “be strong,” and “get over it”—as if emotions are a weakness or something to be ashamed of. But here’s the truth: men feel too. And their mental health matters just as much as anyone else’s.
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to break down stigma, uplift stories that go unheard, and recognize that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s time to change the narrative around what it means to be strong.
The Reality of Men’s Mental Health
– According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die by suicide nearly 4 times more than women in the U.S.
– 1 in 8 men experience mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD—but many never seek help.
– Social norms, cultural expectations, and stigma often prevent men from reaching out for support or even recognizing that they’re struggling.
– Black, Indigenous, and Men of Color (BIMOC), LGBTQIA2S+ men, veterans, and neurodivergent men often face even greater barriers to care, including discrimination and lack of accessible resources.
These numbers are not just statistics—they are people. Fathers, brothers, friends, partners. They are you. And they deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.
Why the Stigma Still Exists
For generations, masculinity has been tied to silence. The idea that being “a real man” means being stoic, tough, unemotional. But that’s a myth that has hurt too many for too long.
The stigma around men’s mental health is often rooted in:
– Fear of judgment or shame
– Beliefs that seeking help is weak
– Cultural or generational silence around emotions
– Limited representation of men talking openly about mental health
But vulnerability is not weakness. In fact, it’s one of the greatest strengths we can cultivate. Naming our pain doesn’t make us less—it makes us human.
Why Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month Matters
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about raising awareness. It’s about creating space—space for honesty, for emotion, for healing.
It’s about:
– Encouraging men to ask for help without shame
– Challenging outdated ideas of masculinity
– Promoting diverse stories of resilience and struggle
– Helping families and communities understand how to support the men in their lives
– Making mental health support more accessible and inclusive
And it’s about letting men know that it’s okay not to be okay.
Support Looks Different—And That’s Okay
Not every man wants to talk in a support group. Some heal through movement, through music, through art, through spirituality, through coaching or therapy, or even just by having one safe person they can be real with.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. The key is reminding men that they’re allowed to heal at all.
Ways to Support Men’s Mental Health
– Normalize emotional expression—in your friends, your family, your partners. Start conversations.
– Check in with the men in your life without expecting surface-level answers.
– Share resources and stories of healing, especially those that reflect diverse backgrounds.
– Encourage therapy, coaching, or peer support without pressure or judgment.
– Speak up when you hear harmful language around mental health or masculinity.
Resources for Men’s Mental Health
– HeadsUpGuys: https://headsupguys.org – Tools and resources for men facing depression.
– Men’s Health Network: https://www.menshealthnetwork.org – Advocacy and education.
– Therapy for Black Men: https://www.therapyforblackmen.org – Therapist directory and healing tools.
– Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net – Confidential help for veterans and their families.
– Let’s Heal Together: https://letshealtogether.help – Our trauma-informed, identity-affirming space offering:
▸ Mental Health & Holistic Life Coaching
▸ Peer Support (in select states)
▸ Custom Tarot Readings & Personal Spreads
▸ A Product Shop of Journal Pages & Personal Development Challenges
▸ A Healing-Focused Blog & Resource Database
▸ A Private Discord Healing Community
You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
If you’re a man reading this and struggling, know this:
You are not broken.
You are not weak.
You are not alone.
You are worthy of care, of softness, of healing—even if no one ever told you that before.
Let’s rewrite the story that strength means silence. Because real strength is being brave enough to feel.
Let’s Talk About It
How has masculinity shaped your relationship with your mental health? What do you wish more people understood about being a man in pain, in healing, in progress?
We invite you to share your story—whether it’s your own or someone you love. Join us in the comments, on our blog, or in our Discord community. You never know who might need to hear what you have to say.
Let’s honor Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month with empathy, action, and a commitment to doing better—together.