While June is often associated with LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and the start of summer, it’s also a time to bring attention to an issue that affects millions, yet remains widely under-discussed—Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance is a call to action to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in men, promote open conversations, and encourage those who are struggling to seek support.

Despite growing awareness of mental health issues in general, men often remain silent sufferers. Cultural expectations, gender norms, and systemic barriers make it especially difficult for many men to speak up about what they’re going through. That silence can have devastating consequences. But with awareness, education, and compassion, we can begin to change the narrative.

Why Men’s Mental Health Deserves Dedicated Attention

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, millions of men experience mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and PTSD. However, men are significantly less likely to seek help than women. In fact, studies show that only one in four men with mental health issues actively seek treatment.

This isn’t because men aren’t suffering. It’s because many have been taught that asking for help is a sign of weakness. From a young age, boys are often socialized to suppress their emotions, equate vulnerability with failure, and “tough it out” through pain. These outdated norms can become deeply internalized, making it difficult for men to even recognize when they’re struggling—let alone admit it or seek help.

June is a time to dismantle these beliefs and build healthier, more open approaches to mental wellness.

The Silent Crisis: Suicide and Men

One of the most tragic consequences of ignoring men’s mental health is the alarmingly high suicide rate among men. According to the CDC, men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women in the United States. The numbers are even more pronounced among middle-aged men and veterans.

Many of these deaths are preventable, but prevention starts with awareness. Men are more likely to use lethal means and are less likely to reach out before it’s too late. This highlights the urgent need for supportive, stigma-free environments where men feel safe expressing their pain.

What Does Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month Aim to Do?

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is about education, support, and breaking stigma. It aims to:

• Encourage men to recognize and talk about their mental health challenges.

• Raise awareness about common conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction among men.

• Promote early intervention and normalize seeking therapy or other forms of treatment.

• Support families, workplaces, and communities in understanding how to better support the mental health of men and boys.

• Address the unique mental health struggles that men from marginalized groups—such as Black, Latino, Asian, LGBTQIA+, or disabled men—may face.

It’s a month to push back against the societal pressures that tell men they must “man up” and instead champion the idea that real strength lies in openness, self-awareness, and the courage to get help.

Common Mental Health Struggles for Men

While every individual is different, there are certain mental health issues that are particularly prevalent—or often overlooked—in men:

• Depression: Men may not always show classic signs of sadness. Instead, depression in men can show up as irritability, anger, fatigue, or risky behavior.

• Anxiety: Many men suffer from chronic anxiety but hide it behind workaholism or avoidance.

• Substance Abuse: Men are more likely than women to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or mental health problems.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Especially common in veterans or men who’ve experienced violence, PTSD can remain untreated for years.

• Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders: Though less talked about, men also face societal pressure around appearance, which can lead to disordered eating or body dysmorphia.

Raising awareness about these issues helps men better understand what they might be experiencing and know they’re not alone.

The Role of Society and Culture

One of the major barriers to progress in men’s mental health is cultural messaging. Men are often bombarded with harmful ideas like:

• “Real men don’t cry.”

• “Talking about your feelings makes you weak.”

• “Be strong, be silent.”

• “It’s not that bad—just suck it up.”

These messages discourage emotional expression and create an environment where mental distress is either ignored or shamed. Changing this starts at every level—within families, schools, workplaces, and media.

We must raise boys with the freedom to feel, to cry, to struggle, and to speak. We must show men that their humanity—complete with flaws and emotions—is not a liability, but a gift.