For many, June is known as Men’s Health Month, a time to highlight issues often kept in the dark. At Head Space Diaries (“nurturing minds, healing souls”), we’re dedicating June 16th –30th to our Silent NO MORE awareness campaign. We aim to help men speak openly about their struggles and encourage others to lend a listening ear. The urgency is clear: in 2023, U.S. data showed men (about half the population) made up nearly 80% of suicide deaths. As the National Alliance on Mental Illness notes, “there is a silent crisis in men’s mental health.” Men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women. These stark facts reveal that many men suffer in silence. We must break the silence by supporting one another with understanding and hope.
A thoughtful man wearing a winter coat and beanie looks to the side, illustrating the hidden emotional burdens many men carry. Society often expects men to “tough it out” instead of sharing pain. Experts point out that U.S. men die by suicide at four times the rate of women, yet men are diagnosed with depression and anxiety far less often (because they may hide symptoms or cope differently). Studies found that only about 40% of men with a mental illness received any treatment last year (versus 52% of women). Other surveys show only roughly 35% of men say they would seek help from a mental health professional (versus 58% of women). These numbers reveal a worrying gap: many men silently struggle without diagnosis or support, even as their need is great.
Stigma, Masculinity and Mental Health
Why do so many men remain silent? Social stigma and rigid gender norms plays a big role. Men are often socialized to define strength by stoicism. As a Butler Hospital therapist explains, “men are often expected to be strong, stoic, and self-sufficient, making it difficult to acknowledge their struggles and ask for help.” Instead of talking about feelings, men may bottle them up or channel them into risky behavior. For example, an Association of American Medical Colleges report notes that many men “turn to substance abuse and violent behavior rather than getting help” for depression or anxiety. In other words, stigma pushes feelings underground or into unhealthy coping. Men may think they need to “man up” instead of admitting when they’re hurt. Recognizing this cultural barrier that crying or asking for help can feel like losing face is the first step toward change.
Breaking the Silence: The Silent NO MORE Campaign
This June, the Silent NO MORE campaign seeks to change those norms. We’re encouraging men and boys in our community to share their stories and realize they’re not alone. Sharing experiences, even small steps, can inspire others. Head Space Diaries will publish articles, social media posts, and host group discussions where men can talk openly. Together we emphasize one message: It’s OK for a man to say, “I’m not OK.”
Safe, supportive conversation is key. For example, forming discussion groups or workshops gives men a chance to speak freely. A community workshop brings young men together to share and listen, showing how open dialogue can build understanding. In these settings, participants see that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. As INUKA NAMI advises, we must create “safe spaces… where men feel comfortable opening up without judgment.” By doing this, each shared story can shatter stigma and make it easier for the next person to speak up.
How to Support Men’s Mental Health
We all have a part to play. Concrete steps anyone can take include:
- Start a conversation. Check in with the men in your life: father, brother, friend, coworker. A simple “How are you doing?” can open doors. Listening without judgment encourages others to open up.
- Share resources. Normalize seeking help by giving information about counseling, hotlines, or support groups. For instance, share information about local therapists, so men know help is available and effective.
- Create safe environments. Encourage clubs, classrooms, barbershops, or living rooms to be judgment-free zones. Let men know it’s okay to express sadness or anxiety. Studies show that “mental health stigma” and fear of being seen as weak keep men from getting help; we can counteract that by treating emotional openness as normal.
Each of these steps aligns with expert recommendations. As INUKA NAMI highlights, small actions together can spark transformation. During our campaign, we’ll highlight these ideas so that by June 30, many more conversations about men’s feelings have begun.
Moving Forward Together
Men’s mental health deserves the same care we give to any other health issue. By speaking up, listening, and sharing the load, we can rewrite the story. Research suggests that when men learn to recognize their depression rather than dismiss it as “stress,” they become much more likely to seek help. Likewise, when schools and workplaces teach coping skills and empathy, fewer men will suffer in silence.
As part of the Headspace Diaries community, we believe nobody should feel alone. Throughout June and beyond, let us encourage every man to say what he needs. The campaign’s hashtag #SilentNoMore reminds us that together we can break the taboo. By raising awareness and fostering compassion during this campaign and every day, we help ensure that no man’s voice stays unheard.