Despite recent advancements in men’s mental health awareness, men are still significantly less likely than women to seek treatment for mental health issues. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that although 1 in 10 men experience some form of anxiety or depression, less than half seek help for these conditions. This data is corroborated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which reports that in 2021, only 40 percent of men with a diagnosable mental health condition received services.

Men hesitate to seek treatment for a variety of reasons, many of them involving societal expectations around masculinity. Men are expected to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant. In this context, help-seeking is seen as unmanly. Here are some other common myths and misconceptions that prevent men from getting mental health treatment.

Men’s Mental Health

MYTH: Men aren’t supposed to talk about their feelings.

If you believe the stereotype, talking about emotions is for women. Pop culture shows women having heart-to-heart conversations over brunch while men talk about sports or play video games. Hollywood idealizes the “strong, silent type.” Men in the real world internalize these standards and feel pressured to conceal or repress their emotions.

FACT: Suppressing or denying your feelings can lead to problems such as substance abuse or chronic pain.

MYTH: Asking for help for men’s mental health is a sign of weakness.

Another myth that prevents men from getting mental health treatment is that asking for help is a sign of weakness. In a culture that glorifies self-reliance, help-seeking becomes an admission of failure. While this expectation affects people of all genders, men experience a disproportionate amount of pressure to “go it alone.” 

FACT: Acknowledging you need help takes courage and strength.

MYTH: I can fix this on my own.

Societal expectations notwithstanding, most men understand the need to see a health professional for issues like diabetes or heart disease. Yet, when it comes to mental health, many men have the misconception that they should be able to “fix it” without professional help. 

FACT: Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can be caused by the imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Expecting that you can “fix” these imbalances is like expecting a diabetic to produce more insulin without medical intervention.

MYTH: People will think less of me.

Perhaps the most prevailing myth that keeps men from getting mental health treatment is that they will be judged negatively as a result. Despite some recent progress, mental health conditions and mental health treatment are still stigmatized in our society. At the heart of this stigma is the misconception that mental health issues are personal defects instead of medical conditions. 

FACT: Celebrities who have opened up about their mental health struggles have been met with praise, not judgment. For example, when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson opened up about his battle with depression, he was commended for his bravery and honesty.

MYTH: It won’t help.

Finally, some men avoid seeking mental health treatment because they think it won’t help. Many are influenced by stereotypes and false expectations about what treatment entails. Others have heard stories about negative treatment experiences or had negative experiences themselves. The Associate of American Medical Colleges reports that physicians often mislabel, misdiagnose, or underestimate the mental health needs of their male patients. This not only compounds the shame men feel around help-seeking but also leads them to conclude that mental health treatment is not for them.

FACT: Clinical evidence consistently demonstrates the efficacy of mental health treatments. Although the

re is no “quick fix,” those who are patient and persistent in finding the right provider and modality experience significant relief from their symptoms.

Breaking the Silence on Men’s Mental Health

Unrealistic gender norms, societal stigma, and misinformation are just a few of the obstacles that prevent men from getting mental health treatment. Removing these barriers means providing men with accurate data about men’s mental health and the treatments available. It also involves recasting help-seeking as a sign of strength, not weakness. Receiving treatment for a mental health issue is no different than seeing a medical provider for a physical health issue. By dispelling the above myths and misconceptions, we can help create a new norm in which men’s health includes mental health.

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Lindsay Schwartz is a psychotherapist in private practice in Acton, MA, where she specializes in the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. She has a background in school counseling and a special interest in mindfulness-based treatments.  Lindsay earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from Williams College, and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons College. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys writing, reading, running, and spending time with her husband and 2 children.