The male mental health crisis is a significant public health problem, with 1 in 8 men globally affected by a mental health disorder. These numbers are thought to be higher, but due to cultural stigma, such as perceived fear of weakness or vulnerability, many men hesitate to get diagnosed or treated [1].
It’s essential to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and encourage them to seek support to address major public health concerns such as suicide, addiction, and domestic violence.
Male Mental Health: A Global Crisis
Men, on average, have higher rates of suicide, addiction, and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Unresolved mental health problems in men leave a lasting impact on communities and contribute to several issues, including [1][2]:
- Suicide: Number one cause of death among young men 15 to 29.
- Overdose: Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from a drug overdose than women.
- Domestic Violence: Untreated mental illness in men increases rates of violence against women and children in the home by nearly 8 times.
- Crime: 45 to 64% of men who are incarcerated in the US struggle with a mental illness.
- Economic loss: Global economic loss is estimated at around $1 trillion annually due to depression and anxiety in men alone[3].
Common Mental Health Conditions Among Men
Mental health disorders are common among men across age groups and demographics. Numbers are thought to be underreported, as many men still struggle to reach out for support to get diagnosed. Some of the most common mental health issues affecting men include [1][4]:
- Depression: Around 6 million men in the US are affected annually.
- Anxiety: 1 in 10 men in the US experience anxiety, but most do not seek treatment.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Particularly high in the male US military veteran population, affecting nearly 20 to 30%.
- Bipolar Disorder: Affects around 3% of men, and manic episodes increase the risk of drug use or suicide attempts.
- Addiction: Higher rates of drug and alcohol use, affecting nearly 12% of men.
The Cultural Stigma Surrounding Men’s Mental Health
Due to long-standing tradition, culture, and stigma, men struggle to reach out for support, often perceiving it as weak or feminine. 40% of men have reported never speaking with someone about their mental health, and almost 25% report they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so. This is due to a few deeply rooted cultural factors, including [5]:
Masculinity Norms
Traditional masculinity in the US is historically tied to Colonial America, emphasizing values such as independence, strength, stoicism, and property ownership. Providing for one’s family while overcoming adversity without complaint is seen as a sign of strength, making it difficult for men to reach out for help without feeling like they have failed.
Logic Over Emotions
Many men are culturally conditioned that manliness and strength go hand in hand with logic and a lack of emotional expression. Mental health support is often seen as a “feminine” thing to “talk about your feelings”. For this reason, many men avoid reaching out for support or acknowledging negative emotions such as sadness or anger.
Vulnerability Perceived as Weakness
Many men fear reaching out for support or connecting with other men due to shame and fear. Vulnerability is perceived as weakness, rather than a sign of courage or strength. However, this is being challenged by a growing number of male mental health advocates who are encouraging more men to practice vulnerability, sensitivity, and emotional expression.
Understanding Depression in Men and The Male Loneliness Epidemic
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting men. Studies show that there has been a significant increase in male loneliness over recent decades, with many men reporting fewer close friendships than previous generations. This is a significant contributor to increased rates of depression in men. Other causes of depression in men include:
- Brain Chemistry and Hormones impact how depression manifests in men, often as increased irritability, anger, or violence. Genetic predispositions can also make some men more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Financial Stress, such as job loss or inability to provide, is one of the top contributors to depression in men.
- Life Events such as job loss, divorce, death of a spouse, or ongoing work or home stress can trigger depression in men, especially those with genetic vulnerabilities or who lack a support system.
- Personality Traits such as being a workaholic and perfectionism are linked to increased rates of depression.
- Drinking and Drug Use can increase depression, often creating a harmful cycle of coping.
- Lack of Purpose, such as from divorce, loss of job, or sense of self, can trigger depression by undermining a man’s motivation and masculinity.
Signs of Depression in Men
The signs of depression in men can sometimes appear different in women, manifesting as aggression, violence, or silence rather than typical sadness or mood swings. Common signs of depression in men include:
- Anger, irritability, frustration
- Guilt, shame, feelings of worthlessness, or feeling like a failure
- Withdrawal from social activities, avoiding family or friends
- Low sex drive
- Escapist behavior such as working or playing video games excessively, drug or alcohol use
- Controlling or violent behavior
- Fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, decline in school or work performance
The Risk of Suicide Among Men
Loneliness, financial pressure, work stress, and the pressure of manhood all contribute to high suicide rates among men. Suicide is the leading cause among men 15 to 29, and nearly 4 times higher than the female suicide rate [5]. One of the reasons for this, experts believe, is that men tend to use more lethal methods of suicide, such as firearms.
What Does Anxiety in Men Look Like?
Nearly 20% of men are thought to struggle with anxiety, and it often goes hand in hand with depression; however, it may present differently [6]:
- Men with anxiety typically show physical symptoms such as headaches, tremors, muscle tension, and loss of appetite.
- Restlessness, nervousness, or worry may be masked as anger or frustration.
- Common unhealthy ways men cope with anxiety include substance abuse, workaholism, or spending excessive amounts of time at the gym (may be a healthy way to manage at first, but can turn into a form of escapism).
The Importance of Early Intervention
It’s essential for men to seek support because the cost of staying silent can be devastating. Ignoring mental health challenges when they first appear often only worsens the problem, affecting relationships, physical health, and daily functioning.
Early intervention with treatments such as antidepressant medications (which simply mask the symptoms), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Neurofeedback, or Ketamine therapy can treat depression in men and help them take control of their mental health before it manifests into something more dangerous.
Some of the benefits of early intervention mental health treatment for men include [7]:
- Strengthens the quality of relationships. Many men and their partners report improved communication, listening, and emotional closeness.
- Reduces the risk of physical health problems such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and high blood pressure by releasing unprocessed emotions.
- Communities that have increased access to mental health services for men have lower rates of community violence and incarceration.
- Treatment helps men maintain work or school success, preventing problems such as isolation, legal issues, or decline in performance.
- Early intervention reduces healthcare costs, the risk of homelessness, and leads to more productive lives for men and their families.
Supporting Men’s Mental Health in Utah
Harper Clinic understands the importance of creating a therapeutic space guided by evidence-based, functional medicine to address mental health challenges in men. We encourage men to have authentic conversations about mental health, promoting it as a symbol of strength and accountability.
Reach out to Harper Clinic either by phone, text, or book directly through our website to schedule your mental health consultation. Our providers can help you verify insurance benefits and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique mental, physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Sources
[1] Mental disorders. 2022. WHO.
[2] Stuart, G. et al. (2012). The Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence. Journal of Family Violence, 27(8), 741–748.
[3] Mental Health Trends in 2025: Addressing the Global Crisis. 2025. Medical Realities.
[4] Chatmon B. N. (2020). Males and Mental Health Stigma. American journal of men’s health, 14(4).
[5] Hawkins, S. Men’s Mental Health: Two Perspectives. NAMI.
[6] 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.
[7] Medhurst, K. et al. (2017). Men’s Mental Health Promotion Interventions: A Scoping Review. American journal of men’s health, 11(6), 1823–1837.
