Breaking the Silence: Why Men’s Mental Health Needs More Attention

Men’s mental health remains a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health. Despite increasing awareness, men continue to face unique barriers to seeking help, largely due to societal stigma and traditional notions of masculinity. These barriers not only hinder access to care but also contribute to higher rates of untreated mental illness and suicide among men[1].

Stigma and Barriers to Seeking Help

Peer-reviewed research highlights that men are particularly vulnerable to internalizing mental illness stigma. Societal expectations of strength, stoicism, and self-reliance often discourage men from acknowledging emotional distress or seeking professional support. This stigma can lead to feelings of shame, fear, and isolation, making it less likely for men to access mental health services or disclose their struggles—even to close friends or family[1]. The consequences are severe: globally, men are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to women, yet are less likely to report depression or seek treatment[1].

The Importance of Having a Trained Therapist

The complexity of men’s mental health challenges underscores the necessity of working with trained mental health professionals. Peer-reviewed systematic reviews demonstrate that effective therapist training is a major factor in the successful delivery of evidence-based interventions. Therapists who undergo ongoing, intensive training are better equipped to adapt to emerging mental health needs, utilize the latest research, and provide culturally competent care. This translates into improved outcomes for clients, as well-trained therapists are more likely to implement interventions accurately and respond to the nuanced needs of diverse populations[2].

Rapport Matters More Than Therapeutic Orientation

While the specific therapeutic orientation (e.g., cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic) can influence the techniques used in therapy, research consistently finds that the quality of the therapeutic relationship—often referred to as rapport or the therapeutic alliance—is a stronger predictor of positive outcomes than the therapist’s orientation. Meta-analyses of psychotherapy studies reveal that a strong alliance, characterized by mutual trust, agreement on goals, and a personal bond, is associated with better treatment outcomes across all modalities[3]. Rapport fosters client engagement, increases investment in the therapeutic process, and enhances the effectiveness of specific interventions, regardless of the theoretical framework employed[3].

Practical Tips for Supporting Men’s Mental Health

Normalize conversations about mental health and encourage men to seek professional help when needed.
Recognize the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship; encourage men to find therapists they feel comfortable with, regardless of the therapist’s orientation.
Support ongoing education and training for mental health professionals to ensure high-quality care.
Challenge societal norms that equate vulnerability with weakness and promote environments where men can express emotions safely.

Moving Forward

Addressing men’s mental health requires dismantling stigma, prioritizing the training of mental health professionals, and recognizing the central role of rapport in therapeutic success. By fostering open dialogue and supporting evidence-based care, we can create a culture where men feel empowered to seek help and thrive.

References

1. Oliffe, J. L., Rossnagel, E., Kelly, M. T., Bottorff, J. L., Seidler, Z. E., & Rice, S. M. (2022). Men’s experiences of mental illness stigma across the lifespan: A scoping review. *American Journal of Men’s Health, 16*(1), 15579883221074789. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221074789

2. Martin, D. J., Garske, J. P., & Davis, M. K. (2000). Relation of the therapeutic alliance with outcome and other variables: A meta-analytic review. *Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68*(3), 438–450. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.68.3.438

3. Frank, H. E., Becker-Haimes, E. M., & Kendall, P. C. (2021). Therapist training in evidence-based interventions for mental health: A systematic review of training approaches and outcomes. *Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 28*(1), 30–49. https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000441

Sources

[1] Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8832600/

[2] Therapist training in evidence-based interventions for mental health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8174802/

[3] A Systematic Review of Therapeutic Alliance, Group Cohesion … https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2830397/

[4] Males and Mental Health Stigma – PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7444121/

[5] Mental Health Stigma Reduction Interventions Among Men https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15579883241299353

[6] The Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health | Blog | RISE | TTU https://www.depts.ttu.edu/rise/Blog/stigmamenshealth.php

[7] Men’s mental health – Conceptualization, effects, and coping https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0883941724000591

[8] Importance of Training in Mental Health – Progress Valley https://progressvalley.org/2024/10/16/importance-of-training-in-mental-health/

[9] Men and mental health: What are we missing? – AAMC https://www.aamc.org/news/men-and-mental-health-what-are-we-missing

[10] [PDF] Therapeutic orientation bias & personal values: A study on Swedish … https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1725632/FULLTEXT01.pdf

[11] Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/15579883221074789

[12] The Role of Therapist Training in the Implementation of … https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2872187/

[13] The Therapeutic Alliance: The Fundamental Element of Psychotherapy https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6493237/

[14] Breaking the Stigma of Men’s Mental Health – Butler Hospital https://www.butler.org/blog/breaking-the-stigma-of-mens-mental-health

[15] Training and supporting mental health providers to implement … https://academic.oup.com/tbm/article/12/1/ibab084/6309388

[16] Therapists’ perception of the working alliance, real relationship and … https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10503307.2023.2193299

[17] Why men are less likely to seek mental health care – Harvard Gazette https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/08/stigma-mental-health-care-men/

[18] Training Peer Support Workers in Mental Health Care – Frontiers https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.791724/full

[19] [PDF] The Relationship between Empathy and Theoretical Orientation of … https://research.library.kutztown.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1295&context=jcps

[20] Therapist competence in global mental health: Development of the … https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796715000480

Please Note: The information presented in Dr. Arthur Chen’s blogs is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Reading these blogs does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have any questions about the content or your personal mental health, please consult with your qualified medical provider.