Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health Matters to Us All

MuskingumMHRS
Jun 7
3 min read

Welcome to June—the month where the grills fire up and dad jokes hit peak cringe (one of my favs-Why did the scarecrow become a successful therapist? Because he was outstanding in his field!) But enough of that, we’re here for something even more vital: Men’s Mental Health Month. This month, we’re not just highlighting it—we’re pushing for action.

Men’s mental health? Yeah, it’s time we all faced it head-on. No more brushing it off or burying it under “man up” culture.

The Stats: Why This Matters

The numbers hit hard, and they don’t sugarcoat reality:

1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, yet less than half seek help (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Men die by suicide at a rate 3.9 times higher than women (CDC, 2023).
Suicide is the 7th leading cause of death among men in the U.S. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2023).
Substance use disorders are twice as common in men compared to women (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022).
White males aged 50+ have the highest suicide rates, with a rate of 45 per 100,000—nearly double the national average (CDC, 2023).

Behind every number? Real men. Real lives. And too often? Real silence.

The “Man Box” Problem

You know the drill:

Be tough.
Don’t cry.
Handle it yourself.

This is the toxic cocktail we call the “Man Box”—rigid, punishing, and outdated. It pushes men to swallow emotions until they explode in ways that hurt them and those around them. Research shows men are less likely to seek mental health help due to stigma, embarrassment, or denial of symptoms (American Psychological Association, 2023).

Anybody else over it? I sure am!

Meet Your New Wingman: Man Therapy Ohio

We’re not just here to point out the problem—we’re all about solutions. Enter Man Therapy Ohio, your straight-talking, no-nonsense mental health sidekick.

This free online resource is tailor-made for men, cutting through the noise with a bit of humor and a lot of substance. What’s inside:

A 20-point “Head Inspection” (think of it as a mental oil check).
Self-assessments to see where you’re at mentally.
Tools for stress, depression, anger, and substance use.
Immediate access to local therapy resources.

ccording to Man Therapy Ohio’s 2024 data, more than 15,000 Ohio men have taken the Head Inspection, and 40% reported it was their first-ever step toward mental health care. That’s a game-changer.

Check it out at mantherapy.org/ohio.

Trauma-Informed Care: The Way Forward

We believe in trauma-informed care—because let’s face it, many men’s struggles are rooted in unresolved trauma. Whether it’s childhood abuse, combat stress, work-related trauma, or something else, it manifests in ways we can’t ignore: anger, withdrawal, addiction.

A trauma-informed approach means we recognize the pain behind the behavior, offer safe spaces, and treat each person with empathy and respect. Research shows trauma-informed care reduces re-traumatization and improves engagement in services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021).

We’re not here to patch things up with a band-aid. We’re here to rebuild the foundation.

What You Can Do—Starting Now

Ask. Really ask. Ditch the casual “How’s it going?” and make space for honest conversations.
Push back on toxic stereotypes. Correct the “man up” mentality every chance you get.
Normalize help-seeking. Share Man Therapy Ohio’s link far and wide.
Model it yourself. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.

Here’s the truth: When men heal, families heal. Workplaces heal. Communities heal. I’m done tiptoeing around the issue—I want to shatter the silence.

So, let’s light this fire. Let’s make mental health something no man has to face alone. Because real strength? That’s asking for help when you need it.

Don’t forget to Be Kind-to yourself and others!

JAM