How to Help Men with Mental Health

Tips & Resources
Written By Komal Gupta

I heard someone say “mental health conditions don't discriminate". That is true. One can experience mental health challenges irrespective of their gender. However, I do think it is important to address mental health solutions with consideration of a gender-specific lens.

While men and women can experience the same mental health conditions, men may show different symptoms. It can include anger, irritability, misuse of alcohol, increased stress, and obsessive thinking (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). This article focuses on how we can help men in our lives navigate their mental health, and how they can help themselves.

I have met two categories of males: One who is open about their mental health and another who likes to keep it hidden. However, the statistics show that men are less likely to seek help for their mental health and suffer for it.

  • The National Institute of Mental Health (2024) found that 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health care services in the past year, compared with 52% of women with a reported mental illness.

  • According to the World Health Organization (2021), more than twice as many males die due to suicide as females (12.6 per 100 000 males compared with 5.4 per 100 000 females).

Why are many men so hesitant to receive help? Is it because they often hear that men must be “strong" or they can not be "vulnerable”? Since society has ingrained it in us, it is normal for people to feel this way.

However, there is change in the air, and people have started to become more accepting of mental health. Various influential figures have opened up regarding their personal experiences with mental health and struggles. Michael Phelps, an American former competitive swimmer, is one of the prominent figures who have spoken up about his struggles and how important it was for him to be vulnerable (Natasha Dye, 2023):

"Coming out and really talking about in 2014 when I was looking suicide in the eye, it took me becoming vulnerable to have a chance at this thing called life.”

– Michael Phelps, American former competitive swimmer

Numerous community-based initiatives have also been set up to create safe spaces for men to discuss their mental health. For example, the Australian government introduced the Male Health Initiative which supports male health organisations in raising awareness of men’s mental health, directing men to needed support, and participating in efforts to develop programs for men (Australian Government | Department of Health and Aged Care). In Asia, Calm Collective has covered conversations about men’s mental health with our #ifeelyoubro series and a campaign with BBH called #dealwithit.


The notion that anyone can need help for their mental health is slowly making its way to more people.

So, how can we help men with their mental health?

Talk it out

Talk to your male friends, relatives, and colleagues about how they feel, their emotions and mental health. 

Celebrate men’s vulnerability

Vulnerability can be a strength, and showing it can strengthen men’s mental health. Celebrate the moments when men show us their vulnerability, especially for young boys, and they will learn that they should express their feelings rather than bottling them up.

Accompany the men in your life to counselling/therapy

Going to see a counsellor or therapist can be initially daunting. Assisting them through the process, for example by sharing resources or helping them do their research can help ease the mental load. 

Motivate them to engage in healthy coping mechanisms

Encourage healthy activities like exercise, indulging in self-care, eating a nutritious diet, journaling, and practising mindfulness, whilst discouraging unhealthy ones like drinking, smoking, and substance abuse. 

And if you are a man reading this article, below are some ways you can help yourself with your mental health since change starts with oneself:

Build a Support Group

By this, I am referring to your family and close friends – people you can trust. When you feel overwhelmed with your emotions or feel suffocated with your thoughts, reach out to your support group. Tell them what you have been experiencing and how it’s affecting you. 

Go for Counselling/Therapy

If your mental health keeps declining, then seeking professional help can be beneficial. They can help you find your triggers, and your condition and help you devise a mental well-being plan.

Michael Phelps, while going for his first one-on-one therapy session, thought:

"I didn't know what therapy was going to do or not do for me, but I just got to the point where I said, 'I don't care what it feels like or what people say, I want to feel better,' and I'm somebody that, if there's one hundred different roads that I can take, I'm going to try every single one of them."

After receiving the treatment, Phelps says (Natasha Dye, 2023):

"Coming out of treatment, I got to look at myself in the mirror and be like, 'Oh, cool. I like this person. I can get along with this guy.”

Talking about mental health can be difficult, especially for men, but with the resources available now, mental health help is more accessible than ever. 

References: 

Komal Gupta
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