Men’s mental health issues often go unrecognised, even by those experiencing them. While awareness around men’s mental health continues to grow, many men aren’t sure how to identify when they’re struggling or when something isn’t quite right. Learn to recognise common men’s mental health challenges and when you should seek support.
Men’s mental health issues can remain unrecognised and unaddressed for many reasons. Some key barriers that prevent men from seeking support include:
Traditional attitudes and phrases like ‘get over it’ or ‘pull your socks up’ have long dismissed mental health concerns as temporary or nothing to worry about. While there’s growing recognition that mental health is as important as physical health, these outdated views can still make it harder for men to acknowledge when they’re struggling.
Some men are not familiar with the warning signs that they are facing mental health challenges, which need attention. Understanding common signs can help prevent small issues from developing into something more serious. Below, we explore some common men’s mental health challenges and how to recognise when it is time to get support.
Loneliness is a common but often overlooked mental health issue. If left unaddressed, loneliness can contribute to poorer mental health outcomes.
Research from Ending Loneliness Together indicated that 3 in 10 men are lonely. The research also reported that 40% of people living alone and 30% of people living with others also feel lonely.
It’s important to understand the difference between loneliness and social isolation:
Loneliness is an emotional response – a feeling of sadness about being alone. When you are lonely, you can feel a sense of disconnection even if you are surrounded by other people. You may feel like you have no meaningful relationships, you don’t belong, or that no one understands you.
Social isolation, on the other hand, refers to limited contact with other people. Social isolation or being alone can occur due to geographic distance, transport limitations, life circumstances, or personal choice. It’s worth noting that some people may choose to be socially isolated, and not all people who are alone feel lonely.
If you are experiencing loneliness, you can start to take proactive steps such as reconnecting with old friends, joining a sports club, volunteering, connecting with an online community, seeking out community groups such as Men’s Sheds, or searching for an interest group on the Ending Loneliness Directory.
Stress is a response to feeling overwhelmed or under pressure. While some stress can motivate us and help us achieve our goals, ongoing stress can negatively impact our mental health and wellbeing.
Stress is typically experienced when there is an imbalance between what is being asked of us and our ability to deliver or cope with the demands. We can experience stress from multiple sources, including work, finances, relationships, health, and life changes.
For men, common signs of stress may include:
While stress is a normal part of everyday life, how we manage it matters. Some men may bottle up their emotions, withdraw from others, or engage in unhealthy behaviours like increasing alcohol use. These approaches can make stress worse, which can then lead to other mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
If you recognise that stress is having a negative impact on your life, there are healthy ways to manage stress. These include:
If stress is affecting your daily life or you are finding it hard to cope, speaking with a mental health professional can help you develop effective stress management strategies. Support is available through your GP or by calling MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
You can find out more about stress and ways to manage it here:
Depression is more than just feeling a little sad or down. Depression is characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities.
Around 1 in 8 men will experience depression at some point in their lives.[1] Causes of depression can be a stressful event or ongoing difficulties, including financial stress, job loss, relationship issues, trauma, chronic health issues, significant life changes, loneliness, and grief.
While we all experience low moods occasionally, depression is a persistent feeling that doesn’t go away easily. Common signs of depression in men can include:
If you have been having persistent feelings of depression, the good news is that depression is treatable, and seeking help early can make a difference. Your GP is a good first step, and if needed, they can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also call a free helpline such as MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
Depression can also put men at greater risk of suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please seek support. You do not have to go through this alone.
If you are struggling and need support 24/7, you can call:
If it is an emergency, please call 000 immediately.
You can find out more about depression here:
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges men face, with 1 in 5 men experiencing it at some stage in their lives.[2]
Feeling anxious in certain situations is normal, such as going for a job interview, public speaking, experiencing a new situation, or making an important decision. Your heart might beat faster, your mind races, and you may have sweaty palms. Usually, once the event passes, so do the anxious feelings. For people experiencing anxiety, those anxious feelings do not go away easily.
When you have anxiety, it is a constant state of worry or fear about a perceived threat that is usually out of proportion to the reality of the situation. Anxiety is ongoing, and sometimes there is not an obvious cause.
Common signs of anxiety for men can include:
Although some men may dismiss anxiety as just being stressed or nervous, it is a mental health condition that is treatable. If anxiety is affecting your relationships, work, or everyday activities, seek professional support. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss options. You can call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 to speak to a counsellor.
You can find out more about anxiety here:
Common men’s mental health challenges are treatable, and more men than ever are seeking support and finding ways to improve their mental wellbeing. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, there are proven strategies and professional support available to help you move forward.
Taking care of your mental health can include:
Getting support early often leads to better outcomes. While it might feel challenging to take the first step, many men find that speaking with someone brings relief and practical solutions they hadn’t considered.
Taking action and reaching out for support to improve your mental health is a sign of strength. With the right support and strategies, you can develop better ways to manage challenges and improve your overall wellbeing.
MensLine Australia has a team of qualified counsellors who are experienced in dealing with men’s mental health issues. Our service is free and available 24/7 from anywhere in Australia – all you need is a phone or a computer.
Call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 or click on the floating chat button on the right to start an online chat.
If it is an emergency, please call 000.
[1] Healthdirect Depression in Men https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression-in-men
[2] Better Health Channel https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anxiety-and-depression-in-men
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