June is Men’s Mental Health Month

Although it is near the end of the month, I want to write about Men’s Mental Health Month, a nationally recognized period dedicated to awareness, education, prevention, & family engagement about the emotional and psychological challenges facing boys and men. It is a cause just as important as any other we celebrate this month or any other month, for that matter. Because mentally healthy men are better husbands, fathers, workers & volunteers, and friends.

The Importance of Good Mental Health

While conversations about physical health have become more common, mental health remains a topic many guys struggle to discuss openly. For generations, males have been taught to be strong, self-reliant, and emotionally controlled. 

While resilience is an admirable trait, too many have interpreted these expectations to mean they must handle life’s difficulties alone. They are taught that asking for help is a sign of weakness rather than a means to gain wisdom. As a result, too many suffer in silence, resulting in the recent rise in depression, anxiety, and suicide rates among men. 

The reality is that maintaining good mental health is essential for a healthy, productive, and meaningful life as mature adult men. 

The Aspects of Men’s Mental Health

Mental health is more than the absence of illness. It involves how men think, feel, connect with others, and respond to life’s challenges.

• Emotional Health is the ability to recognize and manage feelings such as stress, anger, grief, and joy in healthy and proper ways. It means learning how to regulate our emotions. 
• Psychological Health includes self-esteem, confidence, resilience, and the ability to cope with setbacks and adversity. While they are closely related to emotional health, this is how we think about ourselves, others, and the world. 
• Social Health focuses on meaningful relationships, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Strong social connections are one of the best protections against loneliness and isolation.
• Behavioral Health involves habits that support well-being, such as exercise, sleep, stress management, and avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms. A well-balanced physical routine helps us manage our behavior.
• Occupational Health relates to finding purpose in work while maintaining a healthy balance between career, family, and personal life. It includes our financial and personal well-being. 
• Relational Health encompasses healthy connections with spouses, children, family members, mentors, and friends. Good interpersonal skills are key to a successful life. 
• Spiritual Health provides purpose, meaning, values, and hope. For many men, faith plays an important role in this area.

When these areas are healthy and balanced, men are better equipped to thrive, build stronger relationships, and navigate life’s challenges.

Unbalanced Mental Health 

Having good mental health isn’t about never struggling—it’s about having the tools, support, and resilience to remain balanced. 

When our mental health suffers, every area of life can be affected. Many men experience stress from work, finances, family responsibilities, health concerns, aging parents, marriage challenges, or raising children. Others struggle with loneliness, anxiety, depression, grief, or a loss of purpose. 

Left unaddressed, poor mental health can lead to emotional withdrawal, anger, substance abuse, relationship problems, or even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It manifests as feelings of excessive nervousness or fear; compulsive, repeated safety checks; avoiding social and routine activities; shallow breathing; sweating; trembling; chest pains; headaches; and gastrointestinal problems. 

Mismanaged mental health affects our decision-making and ability to cope with stress is when difficulties arise. 

Friendship Helps Your Mental Help

One of the most overlooked factors in men’s mental health is friendship. If you have followed my blog for any time, you already know the importance of good male friendships. 

Healthy friendships provide perspective, accountability, encouragement, and support during difficult times. Trusted friends often recognize when something is wrong before we do. They listen without judgment, offer guidance (without fixing!) as needed, and remind us that we do not have to face life’s challenges alone.

Unfortunately, many men allow friendships to fade as careers, marriages, parenting, and other responsibilities take center stage. The result is a growing epidemic of isolation and loneliness that affects men of every life-stage.

Differences between Male and Female Mental Health 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, males are more inclined to experience irritability and impulsive anger, than females. 

The Kaiser Family Foundation also reports that men were significantly less likely to seek help for mental health conditions than women. In 2022, only 17% of men received mental health treatment compared to 29% of women. 

While women experience depression more often in the later age groups, older men have higher suicide rates, as reported by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Maintaining good mental health does not mean never struggling. It means recognizing when you need support and having the courage to seek it. It means taking care of yourselves physically, emotionally, relationally, occupationally, and spiritually. This comes from building a life that includes meaningful connections with other mature men. 

How You Doin’?

During the remainder of Men’s Mental Health Month, take a moment to evaluate your own well-being. Are you carrying burdens alone? Have you withdrawn into your own version of a “man cave”? Are there friendships that need to be renewed or strengthened?

No man was meant to walk through life alone. So it helps your mental health to stay connected in authentic friendships that share openly and honestly, and support one another with accountability and encouragement. 

Your mental health matters. Your friendships matter. And both are worth investing in—not just in June, but throughout the year.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call the 988 Lifeline 24/7, or call NAMI’s helpline at 1-800-950-6264. In the event of a medical crisis, call 911.  

[Feature Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash]