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Men’s Health Week 2026: Why Men’s Mental Health Matters – Breaking Down the Stigma

Men's Health Week takes place from 15–21 June 2026.

This Men's Health Week, we're encouraged to think about more than physical health. In this article, I explore why men's mental health matters, some of the barriers that can make it difficult to seek support, and why continuing to challenge stigma benefits us all.

Organised by the Men's Health Forum, this year's campaign highlights the importance of improving men's access to healthcare. While the 2026 theme focuses on the role of pharmacy in supporting men's health, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on men's mental and emotional wellbeing and the importance of seeking support when it's needed.

Looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health. Both influence how we live, work, connect with others and cope with life's challenges.

Why Men's Mental Health Matters

Everyone, regardless of gender, is entitled to access mental health support, whether that's through their GP, NHS services, charities or private counselling. The support is there for everyone.

However, national statistics continue to show that men experience poorer outcomes in some important areas of mental health. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around three-quarters of suicides registered in England and Wales are male. The Men's Health Forum also reports that one in five men dies before the age of 65 and continues to highlight the importance of encouraging men to engage with healthcare and support earlier.

These figures aren't about suggesting that men have fewer services available to them. Rather, they remind us why it's important to understand what might make it harder for some men to seek support and why reducing stigma matters.

Questions Many of Us Ask Ourselves

Whether you're a man or a woman, there may be times when life feels harder than usual. Many of us quietly ask ourselves questions such as:

  • Why do I feel anxious all the time?
  • Why am I always stressed?
  • Why do I feel angry or frustrated?
  • Why can't I switch off?
  • Why don't I enjoy things the way I used to?
  • Why am I so exhausted all the time?
  • Why do I feel numb?
  • Am I coping as well as everyone else seems to be?
  • Do I need counselling?

These questions don't necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. Sometimes they are simply signs that life has become overwhelming, that something doesn't feel quite right, or that it may be time to pause and pay attention to your wellbeing.

Why Can It Be Difficult to Reach Out?

If support is available to everyone, why do some people delay asking for help?

The reasons are different for everyone.

Research reviewed by organisations including the Men's Health Forum, together with Movember's Men in Mind programme, suggests there are many reasons why some men may delay seeking support. These can include concerns about stigma, uncertainty about what counselling involves, wanting to deal with problems independently or believing they should simply cope on their own.

At the same time, Movember's Men in Mind programme challenges the long-held stereotype that men are unwilling to talk. Its findings suggest that many men are willing to engage with therapy and encourage practitioners to recognise men's diverse experiences, avoid assumptions and tailor support to the individual.

Some men describe feeling pressure to be "strong", to solve problems on their own or to avoid showing vulnerability. Others don't recognise these expectations in their own lives at all. Ideas about masculinity are personal and shaped by many different influences, including family, culture, work and life experiences.

Breaking Down the Stigma

Conversations about mental health have become much more open in recent years, yet many people still worry that asking for help could be seen as a sign of weakness or that they should simply cope alone.

This isn't unique to men. Women can experience these concerns too. However, national statistics continue to show significant differences in outcomes for men, particularly in relation to suicide. If support is available to everyone, why do these differences remain?

There is no single answer.

Researchers believe the reasons are likely to be complex and may include social expectations, individual experiences, awareness of available support, previous experiences of asking for help and how comfortable people feel talking about emotional difficulties.

Rather than assuming men don't want support, perhaps a more helpful question is whether we have created environments where everyone feels able to ask for help without fear of judgement.

Perhaps one of the most important messages is that there is no "right" way to be a man. Every man brings his own personality, experiences, relationships, values and challenges. Looking after your mental health doesn't make you any less capable, resilient or strong, it is simply one way of looking after yourself.

What I've Come to Appreciate Through My Work

One thing I've come to appreciate through my work as a counsellor is that every man's story is different. While there are often common themes, no two experiences are ever the same.

Some men describe feeling under pressure to keep going, to provide for others or to solve problems on their own. Others talk about feeling that asking for help somehow means they aren't coping or aren't being the person they think they should be. At the same time, many men don't identify with these experiences at all, which is why it's important not to make assumptions.

I've also come to appreciate that many men aren't looking for someone to "fix" them. Often, they simply want the opportunity to talk openly, without judgement and make sense of what's happening in their lives.

There is no "typical" reason for seeking counselling and there doesn't need to be a crisis before asking for support. Sometimes people contact a counsellor because something significant has happened. Sometimes they simply recognise that life feels more difficult than it used to. Both are equally valid reasons for reaching out.

Considering Counselling

Counselling offers a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can explore whatever is happening in your life at your own pace.

As an integrative counsellor, I believe that no two people are the same. That's why I aim to understand each person's unique experiences and work in a way that feels right for them.

Whether you're experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood, relationship difficulties, grief, work-related pressures or simply feel that life has become harder to manage, counselling provides an opportunity to reflect, gain greater self-understanding and consider how you would like to move forward.

For many people taking the first step can feel like the hardest part. It's completely understandable to feel uncertain about seeking support, especially if you've never spoken to a counsellor before. It's not uncommon for people to tell me that they feel nervous before their first session, wondering what to expect or whether they'll know what to say. Those feelings are entirely understandable.

The first session isn't about having all the answers or knowing exactly where to begin. It's simply an opportunity to meet, talk at your own pace and decide whether counselling feels right for you. There is no expectation to share everything straight away and you remain in control of what you choose to bring.

Seeking counselling isn't about admitting defeat or being told what to do. It's about giving yourself the same care and attention that you would offer to your physical health.

Support and Resources

If you need immediate support or would like further information, the following organisations can help:

  • Men's Health Forum
  • Mind
  • Samaritans – Free, confidential support 24 hours a day (Call 116 123)
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
  • NHS Mental Health Services

A Final Reflection

This Men's Health Week isn't about telling men they should talk more. It's about recognising that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, in whatever way feels right for them.

Looking after your mental health doesn't mean you've failed, and it doesn't make you any less capable, resilient or strong. It simply means you're recognising that your wellbeing matters.

If this article has resonated with you, or perhaps made you think about someone you care about, maybe this week is an opportunity to start a conversation. You don't have to have all the answers before reaching out. Sometimes the first step is simply recognising that you don't have to face things alone.

Support in a Crisis

If reading this article has raised concerns about your own mental health, or you're in immediate distress, please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or contact Samaritans on 116 123. If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, call 999or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

References

Published: June 2026 for Men's Health Week.

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