Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month: Bridging the Empathy Gap

Every June, we recognize Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month—but awareness isn’t enough. We need understanding. Empathy. And action.

I want to begin by saying this: I love men.
I have a partner who holds space with strength and tenderness.
A father whose integrity shaped mine.
Three sons who remind me daily of the courage it takes to grow up with heart.
And boatloads of men in my life—kind, funny, talented—who believe in justice, vulnerability, and doing the work.

These men matter to me deeply. And yet, the truth is—far too many are suffering silently.

Men are facing a mental health crisis.

• Men die by suicide at rates 3-4 times higher than women.

• They are less likely to seek therapy or talk about emotional struggles.

• Substance use, isolation, and untreated depression are skyrocketing.

• Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and veteran men face compounding risks due to systemic inequities and stigma.

These aren’t just numbers—they’re lives. Brothers, fathers, sons, friends. They’re the ones cracking jokes at dinner and showing up for the people they love… until one day, they can’t anymore.

The Empathy Gap

We often talk about toxic masculinity—but not nearly enough about the empathy gap men face when they're hurting.

From a young age, many boys are taught to be “tough,” to “man up,” to hide feelings that might be seen as weak. And when they do express emotion, they’re often met with discomfort, minimization, or silence. Emotional pain becomes invisible—until it turns into rage, withdrawal, or worse.

But here's the thing: Men feel deeply.
They love hard. They grieve. They doubt. They long for connection.

What’s missing is the permission and safe space to process it all.

Here’s what we know helps—and what men (and those who love them) can begin to build into daily life:

1. Talk. And Keep Talking

Therapy works. So does opening up to a trusted friend or support group. Talking about your inner world doesn’t make you less of a man—it makes you more whole.

2. Reconnect With Your Body

Mental health is whole health. Movement, sleep, nutrition, and breathwork all support emotional regulation. You don’t need a CrossFit membership—start with a walk, a stretch, or a nap.

3. Reduce Isolation, Build Community

Men need each other. Seek out groups where vulnerability is welcome—faith groups, men’s circles, hobby clubs, recovery programs. You’re not alone.

4. Limit the Numbing

Be mindful of how much time is spent zoning out with alcohol, screens, or work. None of these are "bad" in moderation—but they can become substitutes for processing real emotion.

5. Add In Small Joys

Music, laughter, creative outlets, time in nature. These aren’t extras—they’re essential. Even five minutes of something that lifts you up can shift your whole day.

If you’re someone who loves a man—be curious. Listen more. Don’t rush to fix or minimize. Create space for honesty, tears, uncertainty. Let them be fully human in your presence.

And if you are a man reading this:
You are allowed to feel.
You are allowed to ask for help.
You are not weak for being human—you are strong for showing up as yourself.

Men’s mental health matters. Not just in June—but every day. The world needs emotionally healthy, self-aware, compassionate men now more than ever. And they need us—partners, friends, communities—to see them clearly, hold them with empathy, and walk alongside them.

Let’s rewrite the story together.