Men’s Mental Health: Current Insights, Challenges, and Research Directions

Men’s mental health has gained overdue attention as data reveal significant trends and disparities that demand a closer look. While men often report lower rates of depression and anxiety than women, they face disproportionately high risks for severe outcomes such as suicide. This paradox underscores a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. As healthcare professionals, researchers, and mental health experts convene for the annual mental health congress, it’s crucial to review the latest insights on men’s mental health – from epidemiological trends in depression, anxiety, and suicide to the role of stigma, access to care, and the need for gender-specific care strategies. Below, we explore recent data and expert perspectives, maintaining a focus on evidence-based findings and systemic challenges that merit discussion.

Depression and Anxiety in Men: Prevalence and Trends

Epidemiological data indicate that men appear to experience certain common mental illnesses at lower rates than women, but this gap may be partly a reflection of underdiagnosis or underreporting. In the United States, recent survey data showed that about 18.0% of men had at least some symptoms of depression in a given two-week period in 2022, compared to 24.5% of women. Likewise, 14.8% of men reported anxiety symptoms, versus 21.4% of women. Another estimate suggests that nearly one in ten men currently experience a diagnosable depression or anxiety disorder. Notably, these rates have been on the rise in recent years. A CDC analysis found significant increases in anxiety and depression symptom prevalence from 2019 to 2022 across demographic groups, aligning with the well-documented mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the pandemic exacerbated what some have called a crisis in men’s mental health. During the early pandemic, studies found U.S. men reported higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation than their female counterparts, even as overall anxiety levels appeared slightly lower in men. Stressors such as social isolation, economic uncertainty, and grief contributed to spikes in insomnia, substance use, and even PTSD symptoms among men during this period.

Crucially, the pandemic also revealed men’s latent demand for support. At one point in 2020, the rate of men seeking mental health care surged to more than five times the prior year’s level, briefly even outpacing women’s utilization of services. This surge suggests that when distress reaches a tipping point, men will seek help – challenging the stereotype that men simply “tough it out.” However, by 2021 those gains receded, and only about 40% of men with a diagnosable mental illness had received mental health services in the past year. This figure remains significantly lower than the roughly 52–57% of women receiving care. The data illustrate a persistent gender gap in both the prevalence of reported mental health issues and the utilization of care, raising questions about barriers that keep many men from engaging with mental health services even as their need grows.

Suicide Rates and the Silent Crisis

Perhaps the most alarming indicator of men’s mental health status is the suicide rate. Men have a substantially higher suicide mortality rate than women in most countries, a disparity seen across the globe. In the U.S., men die by suicide at a rate about 3.8 to 4 times higher than women. Although males comprise roughly half the population, they account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths in the United States. This pattern holds internationally: every country in the WHO’s dataset reports higher male suicide rates, though the magnitude of the gap varies. (For example, male suicide rates are about fourfold higher in the U.S., but roughly double in Japan and South Korea.) Globally, men are more than twice as likely to die by suicide as women. These sobering statistics have led many to describe men’s suicide as a “silent crisis” in public health.

Multiple factors likely underlie this gender gap. One contributor is method choice – men more often use highly lethal means (such as firearms), which increases the likelihood that attempts prove fatal. Biological factors and comorbid substance use (with men having higher rates of alcohol and drug misuse) may also elevate risk. However, psychological and cultural factors are critical: untreated or undiagnosed depression in men is a major risk factor, and men’s lower treatment engagement means suicidal thoughts may fester without intervention. It is poignant that over 60% of men who died by suicide had actually accessed a health care service in the year prior to their death – suggesting that opportunities for prevention were missed. Age is another dimension; middle-aged and older men have some of the highest suicide rates of any demographic group, often linked to social isolation or life transitions. Given these realities, suicide prevention efforts increasingly recognize men as a priority group. For instance, targeted programs have been recommended to reach men in their “middle years” (ages 35–64), who may benefit from tailored interventions in workplaces, communities, and primary care settings. That suicide rates among men remain so high, even as many other causes of death improve, is a glaring sign that our current approach to men’s mental health is failing to prevent the worst outcomes. This crisis compels us to examine why men in distress are not getting the help they need before it’s too late.

Masculinity, Stigma, and Barriers to Help-Seeking

A central theme in understanding men’s mental health is the role of mental health stigma and traditional masculinity norms. From an early age, men are often socialized to project strength, stoicism, and self-reliance. Emotional vulnerability is frequently framed as antithetical to “being a man.” As a result, society tends to view mental health problems as something “unmanly,” in direct conflict with ideals of strength and independence. The phrase “man up” – telling men to hide pain and handle problems alone – encapsulates this cultural script. These norms teach men that admitting to sadness, anxiety, or trauma is a sign of weakness. It’s no surprise, then, that many men hesitate to seek help for psychological struggles. Research confirms that stigma is a major barrier keeping men from accessing care, impeding everything from disclosing distress to sticking with treatment. Men themselves often internalize these attitudes: in an environment where asking for help equates to weakness, reluctance or even fear of seeking care can seem like a “rational” self-protection strategy.

The costs of this stigma are profound. Men underutilizing mental health services means more untreated depression, anxiety, and substance abuse – which in turn can worsen functional outcomes and increase suicide risk. Indeed, the disconnect between men’s lower reported depression rates and their higher suicide rates has been termed the masculinity gap in mental health. Stigma plays a key role in this gap by discouraging men from acknowledging when they are depressed or need help. Many men, consciously or not, choose to suffer in silence or express distress through more “socially acceptable” outlets like anger, workaholism, risk-taking, or alcohol use. As noted in a 2025 systematic review, traditional masculine norms significantly deter men from seeking mental health support. The review found that these norms – e.g. the expectation to “shake it off” or not talk about feelings – are associated with men delaying or avoiding professional help. In some cases, emotional pain is redirected into behaviors that conform to masculine stereotypes (for example, heavy drinking or aggressive behavior), which are then too easily written off as “just men being men”. This normalization of unhealthy coping further masks the underlying mental illness.

The stigma men face is not only internal or cultural; it can be situational as well. Male-dominated environments (such as certain workplaces, military, or sports cultures) often prize toughness and may ridicule emotional expression. Men from various backgrounds – including different races, sexual orientations, or professions – may experience distinct layers of stigma that compound their reluctance to seek help. Unfortunately, despite the clear impact of stigma, research on men’s lived experiences of mental illness stigma remains relatively underdeveloped. There is a growing recognition that we need more evidence on how stigma operates for diverse groups of men across the lifespan, and what strategies can effectively reduce it. Some promising efforts are emerging, from public awareness campaigns that challenge the “man up” myth to peer support programs that encourage men to talk openly. Changing deep-seated norms is difficult, but the increasing public conversation around men’s mental health – evident in media, advocacy by public figures, and initiatives like Movember – suggests that the narrative of masculinity is slowly evolving. As professionals, understanding the weight of stigma and finding ways to create a more supportive culture for men is a key challenge moving forward.

Access to Care and Gender Disparities in Treatment

Stigma and masculinity norms translate directly into disparities in mental health care access. Men are less likely than women to seek out psychiatric or psychological services, and this is reflected in treatment statistics. A recent survey by the National Institute of Mental Health found that only about 42% of men with a mental health condition had received any treatment for it in the past year, compared to 57% of women. Similarly, the NIMH reports that men are overall less likely to have used mental health services or psychiatric medications in the last 12 months. This gap persists despite evidence that men’s mental health needs have grown. The underutilization is fueled not just by personal reluctance, but also by systemic factors – including how services are designed and delivered.

One barrier is that men often do not recognize their own symptoms or do not define them as a “mental health” issue. Many men will present to primary care or urgent care with physical complaints (headaches, fatigue, back pain) that are linked to stress or depression, but neither the patient nor provider immediately connects them to a mental disorder. Men’s symptoms can also manifest in ways that clinicians might not traditionally associate with depression or anxiety. For example, irritability, anger, or aggressiveness; increased risk-taking; and substance misuse are common signs of underlying mental distress in men. Yet these externalizing symptoms can lead providers to mislabel the problem (e.g. focusing only on substance use without addressing depression) or to underestimate the severity of the man’s condition. Research has found that mental health professionals may harbor unconscious gender biases – for instance, assuming a man is “just being difficult” rather than depressed, or that he should simply “man up” and cope. Diagnostic frameworks, too, have traditionally been based on studies of symptoms more typical in women (such as overt crying or verbalizing sadness in depression). If a man instead presents with rage, insomnia, or escapist behavior, his distress may fly under the radar of standard screening tools.

Even when men do seek help, the design of services can be off-putting. Men have reported feeling that providers sometimes don’t take their concerns seriously or fail to show a genuine interest in their problems. In one analysis of suicide cases, more than 60% of men who died had accessed mental health care in the prior year, yet evidently did not receive interventions sufficient to alter their course. This points to possible shortcomings in how we engage and treat men. Mental health services are often structured in ways that align with women’s help-seeking patterns (e.g. talk-heavy, office-based therapy during working hours) and may not be as accessible or appealing to some men. Practical obstacles such as limited appointment hours (conflicting with work schedules), scarcity of male providers (some men prefer to see a male therapist, especially for intimate issues), and lack of outreach in male-centered community settings all play a role. Additionally, social factors like fear of being seen at a counseling center or having a record of therapy can deter men concerned about confidentiality or reputation.

Addressing these access issues will require adjustments both in how men are encouraged to seek help and how the healthcare system accommodates them. Potential strategies include integrating mental health check-ups into primary care (where men are more likely to visit for physical issues), offering more telehealth or flexible counseling options (which some men may find more comfortable), and normalizing help-seeking through workplace programs or public campaigns. Importantly, building trust is key. If men sense that clinicians are empathetic to the unique stresses they face and do not judge their masculine identity, they may be more willing to engage in care. Training healthcare providers – from psychiatrists and psychologists to primary care doctors – to recognize gender-specific presentations and to create a nonjudgmental space for male patients is an essential step. In summary, the current gender disparity in treatment access is both a call to action and an opportunity: by innovating care delivery to meet men where they are, we can close the gap and improve outcomes.

Challenges in Diagnosis and Tailoring Treatment

Men’s mental health challenges are not limited to whether they seek help; even within clinical settings, there are nuances in diagnosis and treatment response that require attention. One challenge is the potential underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of mental illnesses in men. As noted, men might downplay emotional pain or describe their symptoms differently (e.g. “I’m just stressed” instead of “I feel hopeless”). Providers must be attuned to these differences. There is a growing body of psychiatry and neurology research examining sex differences in brain and stress physiology – for instance, how hormonal factors or neurobiological responses to stress might differ in men, potentially affecting symptom profiles and treatment needs. While this research is still in early stages, it reflects a broader push towards personalized medicine, including by sex/gender.

Another diagnostic issue is that some screening tools or criteria may not fully capture male presentations. For example, standard depression scales emphasize mood and cognitive symptoms (sadness, crying, negative self-worth). Men suffering from depression, however, might exhibit more behavioral symptoms like irritability, anger outbursts, or escapism (working excessively long hours, immersing in sports or video games) as a coping mechanism. If a clinician relies only on classic diagnostic checklists, these men might be overlooked or diagnosed late. Burnout, often work-related, can mask as irritability and detachment in men and may not be recognized as a depressive equivalent. Likewise, what is labeled as an “alcohol use disorder” in a man could be his way of self-medicating an underlying anxiety disorder or PTSD from trauma. A gender-sensitive diagnostic approach would probe these possibilities rather than treat the substance use in isolation. Unfortunately, as studies have highlighted, mental health providers sometimes miss men’s psychological problems or attribute them to external factors (“he’s just upset about losing his job”) without diagnosing the concurrent mental disorder. Such oversights point to a need for better training: clinicians should learn to ask the right questions and interpret men’s narratives without bias.

Tailoring treatment for men is another area of development. It’s not that men need entirely separate therapies—evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), antidepressant medication, or group therapy can work for both men and women. However, the engagement strategies and contexts might need tailoring. For instance, some experts suggest that men may respond well to goal-oriented therapy that frames mental health improvement in terms of regaining control or fulfilling valued roles, which aligns with masculine ideals of efficacy. Incorporating elements like coaching, problem-solving approaches, or even physical activity into therapy (e.g. programs that combine exercise with talk therapy, sometimes called “men’s sheds” or outdoor group activities) have shown promise in engaging men who might shy away from a traditional clinic setting. Additionally, considering the high comorbidity of substance use in men, integrating addiction treatment with mental health care is vital – a dual-focus approach can address the cycle where untreated depression fuels drinking, which in turn worsens the depression.

The role of medication can also have gendered aspects; for example, men may be more reluctant to take psychotropic medications due to concerns about side effects like sexual dysfunction or feeling “weak” for needing a pill. Clear, destigmatizing communication about the biological nature of mental illness can help mitigate such fears. Psychiatrists should be prepared to manage side effects proactively to keep men adherent to treatment. In sum, improving diagnosis and treatment for men doesn’t imply a wholly separate psychiatry for men, but it does require an informed, nuanced approach. By recognizing how depression or anxiety might look different in a man sitting across from us, and by adjusting our therapeutic techniques to resonate with him, we stand a better chance of providing effective care.

Systemic Challenges and Research Gaps in Men’s Mental Health

The issues discussed – higher suicide rates, pervasive stigma, low service uptake, diagnostic biases – all point to systemic challenges in how we address men’s mental health. Traditionally, much of mental health research and public health policy did not single out men as a distinct group in need of tailored strategies. This is beginning to change. In recent years, professional and academic organizations have been calling for more gender-specific care approaches. For example, experts have argued that primary care physicians, mental health providers, and policymakers must critically re-examine their assumptions about men’s mental health and adjust their practices accordingly. The current one-size-fits-all framework “has limited our ability” to offer solutions that truly meet men where they are. There is a push to develop clinical guidelines and training that account for male-specific presentations and barriers. This could include continuing education for clinicians on male mental health, or the establishment of specialized men’s mental health services in the community.

On a policy level, some countries are acknowledging the need for focused strategies. The United Kingdom, for instance, has seen calls for a national men’s health strategy as data continue to show stark male health disparities (including mental health and suicide). Public health agencies are also investing in suicide prevention campaigns targeting men, given that reducing male suicide is integral to reducing the overall suicide rate. Research gaps remain a significant concern. As noted earlier, stigma research specific to men is still emerging, and we need more studies on how to effectively reduce stigma in this population. We also lack robust data on what interventions work best for engaging men in care. Few clinical trials of psychotherapy or outreach programs have reported outcomes stratified by gender, making it hard to tell if a given approach is as effective for men as for women, or what modifications might help. This is an area ripe for research and innovation. Implementation science could play a role: for instance, examining how to implement mental health screening in settings like barber shops, sports clubs, or workplaces where men might be more receptive. There is also room for qualitative research to hear directly from men about their needs and preferences – including men from diverse subgroups (e.g. men of color, veterans, sexual minority men) who might face additional barriers or stigma. As one commentary put it succinctly, “Men aren’t the problem. The way that we treat them is”. It calls attention to the systemic responsibility in improving men’s mental health outcomes.

Encouragingly, some recent research is shedding light on solutions. A 2025 systematic review highlighted the importance of culturally and gender-sensitive interventions to address traditional masculinity barriers. By directly confronting norms around toughness and emotional silence, such interventions can create more accepting environments for men to seek help. Examples include group programs that reframe asking for help as an act of courage, or public figures speaking about their own mental health to model vulnerability. Additionally, media portrayals of masculinity are slowly shifting – alongside negative “toxic masculinity” influencers, we now see positive movements where men promote openness and peer support. These cultural shifts, combined with targeted clinical strategies, could reduce the burden of mental illness in men over time.

In conclusion, men’s mental health is a multifaceted issue at the intersection of psychiatry, psychology, public health, and society at large. The data on depression, anxiety, and especially suicide in men underscore that we have much work to do. Moving forward, addressing this challenge will require evidence-based, gender-specific care innovations and dismantling the stigma that has long shrouded men’s mental illness. By closing research gaps and adapting our mental health systems to better serve men – without resorting to generic “man up” tropes – we can improve not only the outcomes for men, but also the wellbeing of families and communities impacted by men’s mental health. This ongoing conversation among healthcare professionals and researchers is vital. By sharing insights and questioning assumptions, as we do in forums like this webinar, we take steps toward a more inclusive and effective mental health landscape for all genders.

Sources:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Men and Mental Health (Last reviewed May 2024)

• McKenzie SK et al., 2022 – Men’s experiences of mental illness stigma: A scoping review (Am J Mens Health)

• Mokhwelepa LW et al., 2025 – Traditional masculinity norms and men’s help-seeking: A systematic review (Am J Mens Health)

• Griffith DM et al., 2024 – Men and mental health: What are we missing? (AAMC News)

• Meyer S., 2024 – Men’s Mental Health: “Man Up” Is Not the Answer (Wildflower Center blog)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – National Health Statistics Report #213 (Nov 2024)

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Suicide Statistics 2023

• Our World in Data – Suicide rates are higher in men than women (H. Ritchie, May 2025)

• Global Wellness Institute – Men’s Wellness Initiative Trends for 2025