Across the U.S. and the world, men are quietly struggling with mental health. And for many men, it’s astounding just how deeply this pain remains hidden, shaped by outdated gender norms, cultural pressure, and systemic gaps in care.
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, but its symptoms and expression can look different across genders. In the U.S., around 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health condition each year. For men, though, the story takes a darker turn:
And those numbers likely underrepresent reality. Many men go undiagnosed, not because they’re unaffected, but because they either don't recognize symptoms or feel they can't reach out for help.
When men do seek help, they often admit they’ve been struggling for years. In our recent webinar, we unpacked insights on men's mental health—why it matters, the unique challenges men face, and what all of us can do to help.
The reality is stark: isolation, substance use, and emotional suppression are taking a serious toll on men’s well-being. Many men navigate silent battles, shaped by societal expectations that discourage vulnerability and emotional expression. They're taught to "tough it out," and as a result, many don’t recognize or admit to their symptoms until they reach a crisis point.
In the webinar, our expert speakers unpacked how these patterns of emotional suppression and untreated mental health conditions ripple outward—affecting not only individual men but also their families, communities, and workplaces. From strained relationships to burnout and underutilized healthcare services, the cost of silence is far-reaching.
We also discussed how masculinity norms—what some call the “man box”—narrow the ways men are allowed to express distress. When men feel they must perform strength instead of seek support, it becomes harder to recognize when something’s wrong and even harder to ask for help.
But it’s not all grim. Cultural attitudes are shifting. Younger generations of men are increasingly open to therapy and emotional expression. Athletes, celebrities, and everyday people are speaking up about their mental health journeys, helping normalize the idea that vulnerability is a strength—not a weakness.
Workplaces, schools, and online platforms are also evolving, offering more male-friendly approaches to mental health that center on authenticity, connection, and trust.
We ended the session by offering practical guidance on how anyone—regardless of gender—can help support the men in their lives:
You don’t have to be a therapist to make an impact. Just being someone who listens, checks in, and keeps the door open can change a life.
If you missed the live webinar or want to explore additional resources, we’ve put together a resource hub for you here. It includes articles, tools, and conversation guides to help you better support men’s mental health at home, at work, and in your community.
Let’s keep the conversation going—and keep showing up for the men in our lives.
