May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As the month of May rolls in, we’re reminded that Mental Health Awareness is not just a calendar event—it’s a call to reflection, action, and compassion. While mental health affects every person regardless of age, gender, or background, there’s a silent crisis brewing behind many strong, stoic faces: men’s mental health.
The Silent Struggle
Society has long celebrated men for their strength, resilience, and ability to “tough it out.” From an early age, boys are often taught—sometimes directly, sometimes subtly—to suppress emotions, hide pain, and avoid vulnerability. Phrases like “man up,” “don’t cry,” or “be a real man” have shaped generations to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But emotional suppression doesn’t make the pain disappear—it only pushes it deeper, where it festers in silence.
The result? Far too many men carry unseen burdens. They may appear successful, composed, or even happy on the outside, yet struggle internally with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and trauma. Left unaddressed, these struggles can lead to broken relationships, substance abuse, and in tragic cases, suicide.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Men die by suicide nearly 4 times more than women in many Western countries.
- Less than 30% of men with depression seek help, compared to almost double that in women.
- Men are more likely to use harmful coping mechanisms such as alcohol and drug abuse.
These aren’t just statistics—they’re stories of fathers, brothers, sons, friends, and coworkers who never felt safe enough to say, “I’m not okay.”
Mental Health Is Not a Gendered Issue—But the Response Often Is
Mental health challenges are human challenges. Yet the way we encourage and allow men to engage with those challenges must change. Men don’t need to suffer in silence. In fact, the bravest thing a man can do is speak up. Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s strength in its purest form.
Imagine a culture where men are applauded for going to therapy. Where opening up to a friend isn’t met with awkward silence but with listening ears. Where men learn that emotional intelligence is not only acceptable but essential for leadership, relationships, and wholeness.
This May: Start the Conversation
Here are a few ways we can take action this Mental Health Awareness Month:
- Check in on the men in your life. Ask real questions. Go beyond “How are you?” and listen without judgment.
- Normalize therapy and counseling. Share your own journey, if you’ve had one. Let others know it’s okay to seek help.
- Challenge outdated narratives. Speak against the stereotypes that keep men silent. Be the voice that says, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
- Lead by example. If you’re a man, consider this: what would it look like to admit your own struggles? Who might you inspire by your courage?
A Better Future Begins with Awareness
Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than just recognition—it’s about action. If you’re a man struggling in silence, please hear this: You are not alone. You are not weak. Your story matters. And there is help, hope, and healing waiting on the other side of honesty.
Let’s rewrite the narrative—for ourselves, and for the generations that follow.
Troy P Zehnder 