June is Men's Mental Health Month — a time to shine a light on a subject that remains, for many men, one of the hardest topics to discuss: their own emotional wellbeing.
The statistics are sobering. Men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health treatment. Men account for the majority of suicide deaths in the United States. And yet, culturally, men are often still expected to be stoic, self-sufficient, and emotionally contained — to tough it out rather than ask for help.
This silence is costing lives. And it is time to talk about why.
WHY MEN OFTEN DO NOT SEEK HELP
The barriers men face when it comes to mental health are both cultural and deeply personal:
- Stigma: Many men have grown up with messages that equate emotional vulnerability with weakness. Admitting to struggling can feel like a failure.
- Identity: For men who tie their sense of self to being capable and in control, the idea of needing help can feel threatening to who they believe they are.
- Recognition: Men are less likely to recognize their own mental health symptoms, in part because depression and anxiety often present differently in men — as anger, irritability, risk-taking behavior, or physical complaints rather than visible sadness.
- Practical barriers: Many men simply do not know where to start or do not believe therapy will help them.
HOW DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY LOOK DIFFERENT IN MEN
Mental health conditions do not always present the same way across genders. In men, depression and anxiety commonly show up as:
- Increased irritability or anger
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
- Working excessively or staying constantly busy
- Increased alcohol or substance use
- Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Difficulty sleeping
Because these symptoms do not match the stereotypical image of depression, many men — and the people around them — do not recognize them for what they are.
WHAT GETTING HELP ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE
Therapy is not about sitting in a room and talking endlessly about your past. For many men, effective mental health treatment is practical, goal-oriented, and focused on solving real problems. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teach concrete skills for managing stress, changing unhelpful thought patterns, and improving relationships.
Asking for help is not a sign that something is fundamentally wrong with you. It is a sign that you are taking your health seriously — the same way you would if you had a physical injury that was not healing on its own.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you are a man who has been quietly struggling — or if you know one — here are a few places to start:
- Talk to a primary care physician. Many mental health issues can be identified through a standard medical appointment.
- Reach out to a mental health professional for an assessment.
- Start small. You do not have to commit to years of therapy. A few sessions to assess where you are can be a manageable first step.
AT LAKEVIEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
We work with men navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and the everyday weight of lives under pressure. Our approach is direct, respectful, and built around your goals — not a one-size-fits-all model.
This June, we encourage every man who has been putting off getting support to consider: what would it mean to finally feel better? We are here when you are ready.