Men’s mental health is no myth

In November, special attention is paid to men’s mental and physical health.

Since 2003, it has been the season of the Movember Campaign, which aims to encourage men to talk about their health issues and seek help when facing challenges, be it related to mental health, suicide prevention, or physical problems.

Despite a 21-year international campaign, mental health topics remain taboo for many men, and seeking help seems harder for men than for women.

Men underuse mental health support.

On the Siffi platform, we’ve facilitated over 15,000 mental health sessions and have observed that men use therapeutic services significantly less than women.

On average, there is only one male user for every two female users who seek help.

Men and women also often come to counselling with different concerns: while women frequently discuss emotional and relationship issues, men more often seek support for work-related stress and burnout, uncontrolled anxiety and anger, physical exhaustion, and self-esteem issues.

A closer look reveals patterns rooted in mindsets and social norms that often hold men back.

Real-life examples

*David’s story: “I have to manage on my own; people always see me as strong”

David, a 34-year-old father of two, works in banking. He’s someone everyone relies on — at home and work. David is the ideal example of a stable, dependable person in the eyes of his colleagues and loved ones. However, over the past year, he’s begun to feel constant tension and fatigue, disrupting his sleep and mood. When he gets home from work, he feels he barely has the energy to spend ten minutes playing with his kids.

David grew up in a family where he learned that “real men” don’t worry and always handle things on their own. When his wife asked if he’d considered seeking professional help, he felt ashamed:

“Why shouldn’t I be able to handle it? Seeking help would be like admitting I’ve failed.”

But it was precisely this mindset — that, as a father, a partner, a colleague, he must always be strong and responsible — that trapped him.

David didn’t realize that taking responsibility also meant taking care of himself. Seeking help is actually a step toward responsibility, not a sign of weakness.

*Jack’s story: “Maybe I’m just tired?”

Jack, a 28-year-old construction worker, is active and loves sports. His workdays are spent on the construction site, where he completes physically demanding tasks. In recent months, Jack has started to feel inexplicable anxiety, something he’s never experienced before. Although he’s always been confident and calm, he now feels an increasing sense of tension every day. He finds it hard to relax in the evenings, and sleep issues have become a constant companion.

Jack is an active social media user and often spends his evenings watching videos on YouTube and TikTok. Tired, he scrolls through social media, looking for relaxation, but the feeling of falling behind others has only intensified. “It’s probably just tiredness,” he thought for a long time, not considering that it might be a sign of deeper mental strain.

Finally, he decided to speak to a therapist on a friend’s recommendation. This conversation opened his eyes to the fact that he wasn’t alone. He realized that technology and constant information flow often increase mental stress, especially for people unaccustomed to sharing emotions.

David and Jack represent many men who struggle alone with their issues, believing that as strong men, they must figure everything out themselves. Social pressure and the influence of social media amplify this need to appear flawless and carefree.

Times of changed

Evolutionarily, men’s roles were linked to physical and psychological challenges like hunting and protecting—activities where adrenaline and physical exertion helped to relieve accumulated tension. Today, however, many men’s daily lives involve office work and prolonged mental stress without physical exertion to release stress.

Where physical activity once helped release tension, most men’s days are filled with mental tasks, social media influence, and the constant existential pressure of achieving success and providing for their families. Social norms and social media create additional pressure always to appear strong, reliable, and worry-free. This contrast between historical roles and modern expectations creates tension, which can eventually manifest as anxiety, depression, and burnout.

When is the right time to seek help?

No man should have to carry his mental burdens alone. Recognizing mental health concerns and seeking professional support are steps toward improved quality of life. It’s crucial to understand one’s mental health state and recognize signs that suggest the need for help.

Persistent anxiety and worry are often underrated warning signs. Imagine a man who works successfully but feels very anxious before every important meeting. Constant worry and nervousness start affecting his sleep, eating habits, and relationships with loved ones, making anxiety a part of his daily life. When this feeling begins to dominate, it’s time to consider seeking professional help. Ongoing sadness and loss of interest may also indicate a need for mental support.

Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night, often signal hidden stress or anxiety. If these problems persist and don’t improve with simple relaxation techniques, it’s important to consult a specialist.

Social isolation and feelings of loneliness are often hidden symptoms of mental strain, which can lead to worsening isolation and increased mental burden.

Physical reactions, like heart palpitations and muscle tension, are signals from the body that stress has grown too large to ignore. If these symptoms persist, it’s worth seeking professional help to restore mental balance.

If any of these signs feel familiar, it may be the right time to seek help. A general practitioner can give Initial mental health guidance and can refer you to an appropriate specialist. For more severe or persistent symptoms, it may be beneficial to consider meeting with a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist. Each step toward seeking help is a step toward better mental well-being for yourself and those close to you.

What can employers do?

To support men’s mental health, organizations can take several steps to create an environment where men feel comfortable seeking help and talking about their issues.

Three important Steps:

1. Create a supportive mental health culture: Mental health should be a daily topic supported at all levels of leadership. Talking about and paying attention to mental health should become the norm.
2. Raise awareness: Hold regular training sessions and discussions addressing men’s mental health needs. It’s especially beneficial if men who have faced mental health challenges share their experiences, such as overcoming burnout.
3. Easy and anonymous access: Offer mental health services that are easily accessible and anonymous. If seeking help is as easy as ordering food from an app, men are more likely to use it.

Movember reminds us how important it is to encourage men to care for their health, physical and mental. David and Jack have learned that seeking help isn’t just a personal step but also a way of taking responsibility for their and their loved ones’ well-being.

If we can spread this message more broadly among men, perhaps we’ll reach a time when men’s mental health is no longer a myth but a natural part of life.

An organization with a strong health culture and a supportive society creates an environment where men feel comfortable seeking help and can live fuller, healthier lives.