Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to spotlight a topic that too often goes unspoken.

Despite growing awareness of mental health, many men still suffer in silence. Deep-rooted stigma, cultural expectations, and gender norms contribute to a dangerous trend: men are far less likely to seek help and far more likely to experience severe outcomes from untreated mental health challenges — including suicide.

The Statistics Speak Loudly

• Men are nearly 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women.
  According to the CDC, in 2022, the suicide rate among males was 22.8 per 100,000, compared to 5.7 per 100,000 among females.
  ➡️ Source: CDC – Suicide Data and Statistics

• Middle-aged and older men face the highest suicide rates.
  The suicide rate is highest among men aged 75 and older, followed closely by those aged 45–64.
  ➡️ Source: CDC – Suicide Mortality by Age

• Only 1 in 4 men with mental health issues seek professional help.
  Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that men are less likely than women to access mental health treatment, often due to stigma or cultural conditioning.
  ➡️ Source: NIMH – Men and Mental Health

• Men with depression may show different symptoms such as anger, irritability, risk-taking, or substance abuse — which can go unrecognized or misdiagnosed.
  ➡️ Source: Mental Health America – Men’s Mental Health

Why Men Stay Silent

Many boys are raised hearing phrases like:

• “Man up.”

• “Don’t cry.”

• “Be strong.”

Over time, these messages teach men to hide vulnerability, minimize emotional expression, and avoid seeking support — even when they’re struggling deeply.

What We Can Do

This month — and every month — let’s commit to:

• Breaking the stigma. Normalize therapy, vulnerability, and emotional check-ins.

• Starting real conversations. Ask the men in your life how they’re doing and really listen.

• Encouraging professional help. Therapy, medication, peer support, and holistic care can all play vital roles in recovery.

• Creating safe spaces. Whether it’s at home, in the workplace, or within treatment centers like Hygea, men need environments where they can express themselves freely and be met with compassion.

Hygea’s Commitment to Men’s Mental Health

At Hygea Healthcare, we understand the unique challenges men face when it comes to mental health and substance use. Many of our team members — including those in long-term recovery — have walked this path and are now using their experiences to uplift others.

We’re here to say: getting help is brave. It’s a sign of strength — not weakness — to face your emotions, ask for support, and work toward healing.

You are not alone. If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out.
📞 Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
📍 Or contact Hygea Healthcare to learn how we can help.