Taking Care of the Men in your Life: Mental Health Tips for Men

Every year on 19 November, International Men’s Day offers a chance to celebrate the immense value that men bring to the world, their families, and communities. It’s also an important reminder to look after men’s wellbeing, and particularly their mental health.

While conversations about mental health have become more open in recent years, men still face challenges in discussing and managing mental health, especially if they grew up in an era that had different attitudes. Social expectations, pressure to “stay strong”, and reluctance to talk about emotions can and do make it much harder for men to ask for help. In fact, research consistently shows that men are less likely than women to seek psychological support, but they are more likely to die by suicide.

International Men’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to check in with the men in your life, and for men themselves to take stock of their mental and emotional wellbeing. Here are some key signs to look out for, and tips for starting supportive conversations.

Recognising the Signs That Men May Be Struggling
Men don’t always show that they’re struggling in obvious ways, and emotional distress may come out through behaviour rather than words. Here are some signs that might indicate a man is finding things tough:

• Changes in mood or personality
  Seeming more irritable or withdrawn, or quicker to anger than usual. Everyone has off days, but persistent mood changes can suggest something deeper is going on.
• Loss of interest in usual activities
  If hobbies, exercise, or social time have lost their appeal, this may be a sign of low mood or burnout.
• Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
  Sleep and appetite are closely linked with emotional health. Significant and persistent changes, such as insomnia, oversleeping, or loss of appetite, can be warning signs.
• Physical complaints
  Emotional distress can express itself through physical symptoms like headaches, stomach problems, or other chronic pain that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause.
• Drinking more or using substances to cope
  Increased alcohol use or reliance on other substances may be a way of managing stress or emotional pain.

• Withdrawal from friends and family If someone starts cancelling plans, stops answering calls, or avoids spending time with
  others, it might be because they feel overwhelmed.
  It’s important to remember that every man is different, but changes from their usual behaviour are often a good indicator that something isn’t right.

Encouraging Open Conversations About Emotions
Talking about mental health can be difficult, particularly for men who’ve grown up with messages about needing to be “strong” and keep it all in. However, a supportive conversation can make a world of difference. Here are some tips for getting those
conversations started:

• Choose the right time and place
  A relaxed, informal setting could be best – perhaps while driving, walking the dog, or doing something side by side, rather than face-to-face.
• Keep it gentle and non-judgemental
  Instead of asking “What’s wrong?”, try phrases like “You don’t seem yourself lately” or “How are things really going?”. Open-ended questions create space for sharing.
• Listen more than you talk
  Resist the urge to offer instant solutions. Simply listening, without judgement or interruption, helps the person feel seen and understood.
• Normalise emotional expression
  Remind him that everyone struggles sometimes, and that talking about feelings doesn’t make anyone weak. In fact, it takes courage to open up.
• Be patient
  Not everyone will want to talk right away. Let him know you’re available whenever he’s ready, and keep checking in gently.

Even small conversations can be powerful. Just asking “How are you really doing?”, and being willing to listen, can make someone feel less alone, even if they don’t want to talk for long.

Taking Care of Each Other
Men’s mental health is everyone’s business. As friends, partners, family members, and colleagues, we all play a part in creating a culture where it’s safe to talk about how we feel.

Whether you’re a man or a woman, let’s take a moment on International Men’s Day to ask how the men in our lives are doing. Listen with empathy. Share a meal, go for a walk, or simply spend time together.

And if you’re a man reading this, know that it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to go through tough times alone. Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of strength and self-respect, and taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. When men thrive emotionally, everyone benefits: families, workplaces, and communities alike.