Men and Mental Health: Six Things to Know

Psychologists note that men often show different symptoms of depression and that help-seeking among men has increased in recent years.

Many men find it hard to know when they are struggling with mental health and when to seek help. Boys often learn from society to dismiss emotional pain and avoid asking for support. Experts say that framing help-seeking as a failure contributes to men handling problems alone. Surveys and research point to gaps in diagnosis, treatment use, and outcomes for men. Key points: - Social norms commonly discourage men from seeking help, and many men try to manage mental health problems on their own. - Depression in men can present as anger, risk-taking, irritability, or physical complaints, which can contribute to underdiagnosis. - Becoming a father can trigger or reawaken mental health problems; around 10 percent of new fathers may be diagnosed with postpartum depression. - Men have higher rates of substance misuse and experienced higher suicide rates than women in recent years. - Reports indicate that more men sought mental health help in 2023 than in 2014, showing an increase in help-seeking. Summary: Experts say that recognizing male-typical symptoms and the role of social connections can influence diagnosis and patterns of care. Undetermined at this time.