When it comes to mental health, men face a unique and challenging landscape. While conversations about mental health have opened up in recent years, men still struggle with the weight of societal expectations and cultural norms that discourage them from seeking help. This silence is costing lives — literally.
The Stark Reality
- Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women in the UK, with the latest figures showing that men accounted for 75% of all suicides in 2022.
- In the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50.
- A survey by Movember revealed that 40% of men admitted to not talking to anyone about their mental health struggles, often due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Despite these alarming numbers, men are far less likely than women to access psychological therapies, with only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapy services being male.
Phrases like “man up” and “boys don’t cry” perpetuate the idea that men should suppress their emotions, soldier on, and solve their problems alone. But bottling things up only leads to greater emotional distress, making it harder for men to recognise when they need help and to know where to turn when they do.
Why Don’t Men Ask for Help?
For many men, the fear of being judged or perceived as "less than" holds them back from seeking support. Society has long championed the image of the strong, stoic man — one who provides for others but doesn’t ask for anything in return.
A lack of emotional education is another factor. Boys are often not encouraged to express their feelings or develop the vocabulary to articulate their emotions, which can leave them feeling isolated when they grow older and encounter challenges.
Breaking the Cycle
To change this, we need to tackle the stigma head-on and create a culture where men feel empowered to open up about their mental health. Here are some steps we can all take:
- Challenge the Stereotypes
Call out language and behaviours that reinforce toxic masculinity. Remind the men in your life that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. - Make Space for Conversations
Whether it’s a quick chat over coffee or a deeper conversation, showing that you’re there to listen can make all the difference. - Encourage Professional Support
Men may not always feel comfortable speaking to family or friends, but mental health professionals provide confidential, judgement-free environments. Let them know support is available. - Check In Regularly
A simple "How are you doing?" can go a long way. Men often mask their struggles, so it’s important to look beyond surface-level answers and offer consistent support.
Stories From Our Team
At Morgan Hunt, we believe that sharing stories is one of the most powerful ways to challenge the stigma around men’s mental health. Many of our male team members have bravely opened up about their own challenges, the pressures they’ve faced, and how they’ve found ways to cope and seek support.
Here are some of their stories:
“I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), for two weeks in late winter / early spring, normally around March, I enter what can be up to two weeks of seasonally affected depression. The same happens in mid-October too.
As a young man, I didn’t recognise the issues and would normally self-medicate with excessive alcohol intake. Now, older, and wiser, I know it’s coming, and I know how to manage the situation. It’s almost the exact opposite of what I used to do, eat well, plenty of sleep and exercise and a big reduction in booze.
As soon as I’m through it, I enjoy good mental health, it almost bizarre how you can feel whilst going through those difficult days.”
Daniel Taylor, Managing Director
“The death of a girlfriend and a divorce are two occasions when my mental health has been severely tested. Although very different the struggles afterwards were similar. Constantly asking yourself why or could I have done more? The black cloud of almost constant doom/depression – the worry if life will ever get better – the inability to concentrate at work and awkwardness in social situations. I have found there were no easy answers to the challenges I faced however on both occasions I was fortunate to have family, close friends and some great colleagues who would listen to me with patience and understanding, helping to pick me up mentally but also encourage me to take the next steps. Everyone is obviously different however I found exercise, reading and escaping to the country were invaluable ways to help.
What I have learnt and now make sure I do when I know friends are struggling for whatever reason – just make the call or send the message – make sure they know you are there for them.”
Tim Chadwick, Business Manager
“There’ve been times where I have tried to really invest in my future by meeting with a counsellor and deeply working through areas of difference in myself from the man I wanted to be and the man I was. Those confidential conversations with a professional meant I could be completely open. I am grateful that I now do have some close friends that I can speak with about anything - not just sport and general life news but deeper feelings and struggles and I work hard to be that kind of friend to my mates as well.
I had a friend who went through a deep bout of depression, and I was glad to be able to help in a small way – one of the things that hurt him was that some of his mates knew what he was going through but through fear of saying the wrong thing, they didn’t say anything. That’s been my biggest learn since doing a metal health first aid course – be brave, be kind and just ask if someone is ok and be persistent if you feel you’re being pushed away – most fellas I know need to be asked a few times.”
Mickey Piper, Senior Manager
Support Is Out There
Thankfully, there are many incredible organisations working to support men’s mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, these charities can help:
- Movember: Famous for their annual moustache-growing campaign, Movember focuses on mental health, suicide prevention, and physical health issues like prostate cancer.
- Andy’s Man Club: A network of peer-to-peer support groups providing a safe space for men to talk about their mental health without judgement.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): A leading movement against suicide, offering a helpline and webchat service for anyone struggling with life.
- Mind: A mental health charity providing advice, resources, and information for anyone facing mental health challenges.
- Samaritans: Offering free 24/7 support for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
It’s Time to Change the Narrative
The truth is, there’s no shame in struggling, and there’s certainly no shame in asking for help. Mental health doesn’t discriminate based on gender, and neither should our response to it.
By fostering open, honest conversations about men’s mental health, we can dismantle the harmful stereotypes that prevent men from seeking support. Together, we can create a world where no one feels they must suffer in silence.
Let’s start that conversation today.