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Mens mental health is an important yet often overlooked health concern. Mental health can affect males differently than females.

Both men and women experience mental health difficulties. However, there are some notable differences between the issues affecting them and the factors that influence those issues.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common issues and conditions affecting mens mental health, including potential treatments and ways to help others experiencing mental health problems. How mental health issues affect men differently Share on Pinterest Seeking help is a crucial first step in recovering from any mental health condition.

Mental health issues affect men and women differently in the following ways:Differences in condition prevalence and suicide rates

Women are more likely to experience mental health conditions than men. They are also more likely to attempt suicide.

However, men are more than 3.5 times more likely to die from suicide than women. This may be because they tend to choose more lethal weapons, such as firearms.Different influencing factors

Mens issues can develop from different causes and triggers than those that affect women.

For example, mens issues often stem from societal expectations and traditional gender roles, which may lead men to think that they must:be the breadwinners in the familydisplay traditional masculine traits, such as strength and controlrely on oneself and not seek help from othersnot speak openly about their emotions

Holding on to these traditional beliefs can negatively impact mens mental health and keep them from accessing support and treatment.Differences in seeking help

Men are far less likely than women to seek treatment for issues such as depression, substance abuse, and stressful life events. According to Mental Health America, this is due to:social normsa reluctance to talkdownplaying their symptoms

A National Health Interview Survey reports that just 1 in 3 men took medication for daily feelings of depression or anxiety, while just 1 in 4 spoke to a mental health professional.

For more research-backed information and resources for mens health, please visit our dedicated hub.Was this helpful? Warning signs

The signs and symptoms of a mental health condition will depend on the type, but there are some symptoms that people can look out for. These include:aggressiveness, anger, and irritabilitychanges in mood or energy levelschanges in appetite or sleeping habitsdifficulty focusingfeeling restless or on edgea high consumption of alcoholinappropriate use of drugsparticipating in risky activitiesfeeling sad, hopeless, numb, or emotionally flathaving aches, pains, or other physical symptoms without a clear causeobsessive or compulsive thoughts or behaviorsthinking or acting in a way that causes concern to others or has a negative impact on work, social, or family lifethinking about or attempting suicide

If a person notices these symptoms in themselves or if a loved one spots them, it is a good idea to seek medical help.

Treating mental health issues in the early stages can often prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe and lower the risk of complications. Who is at risk?

Several factors increase the risk of mental health conditions and suicide among men. The following groups may be more at risk than others:Older, white men: White men aged 85 years and older are most at risk of suicide. More men in this demographic die by suicide every year than in any other group by age, sex, or race.Men who have experienced trauma: Traumatic events, such as engaging in combat or being the victim of an assault, increase the risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Men experiencing employment issues: Working in poor conditions or having a high workload can increase the risk of mental health issues. Unemployment and retirement also increase the risk of depression and suicide.Men who have had a marital breakdown: Depression is more common, and more severe, among men who are divorced. One study suggests that being single is a significant suicide trigger among men.Men with legal or financial concerns: Having legal or financial worries can trigger the development of mental health problems and increase the risk of suicide.Men who misuse alcohol or drugs: Men are more likely to engage in illicit drug use and alcohol use, which can trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions.Men with a family history of mental health issues: Many psychiatric conditions including bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia run in families, suggesting a genetic component.Men dealing with other life challenges: Other risk factors for mental health problems and suicide include physical illness or discomfort, conflict with family or friends, and the illness or death of a family member.Common mental health conditions in men

Some of the most prevalent mental health conditions among men are:Depression

Depression is characterized by a persistent low mood that interferes with everyday functioning. Worldwide, it is one of the most common mental health conditions.

Depression is almost twice as common in women as men. However, men are far less likely than women to seek treatment for it.

Learn about some of the hidden symptoms of depression here.

Learn about the typical symptoms of depression in men here.Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterized by intense and uncontrollable feelings of fear and worry.

The most common type, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), often co-occurs with depression. Although women are twice as likely to experience GAD, men are less likely to seek treatment for it.

Other types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are equally common among men and women.

Social anxiety disorder causes intense anxiety and fear in social situations, while OCD causes the continuous repetition of specific thoughts (obsessions) or a compulsive need to perform specific routines repeatedly (compulsions).Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition wherein people do not interpret reality as it is. They experience hallucinations, delusions, and other forms of disordered thinking.

Schizophrenia can have a significant impact on quality of life and relationships. Of those who receive a schizophrenia diagnosis by the age of 30 years, 90% are men.PTSD

PTSD is a condition characterized by symptoms of reliving a traumatic experience, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Research indicates that around 60% of men experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, while 50% of women do. Types of trauma differ, with men being more likely to experience:accidentsassaultscombatnatural disasterswitnessing a death or injury

Women are more likely to experience sexual assault or child sexual abuse.

Although men have a higher risk of traumatic events, women are more likely to develop PTSD.Substance abuse

Across most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illegal drugs and alcohol than women. They are also more likely to require an emergency department visit and die from overdose.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 68,000 men die annually from alcohol-related causes, compared with 27,000 women.

Learn more about addiction here. Treatment

Although many men are reluctant to seek and continue treatment for mental health issues, it is a vital step in recovery. With effective treatment, people can learn to manage their symptoms and begin to feel better.

Some treatment options include:Psychotherapy

Therapy can help people work through issues that have triggered mental health conditions. It can also help individuals manage their symptoms, change their negative thoughts and unhelpful behaviors, and learn new coping skills.

There are many different styles of therapy. In order for it to be effective, it is essential that people find the right therapist and type of therapy for them.Medication

A doctor may prescribe medication to treat various mental health conditions or symptoms associated with those illnesses

For example, they may prescribe:antidepressantsantianxiety medicationsantipsychotic drugssleep aids

Typically, doctors will recommend that people use medications in combination with psychotherapy.Lifestyle changes

Making positive lifestyle changes can make a significant contribution to mental well-being.

For example, it is important to:Eat a balanced diet.Get enough sleep.Exercise on most days.Manage stress through meditation or yoga, or in other ways.Limit or avoid the use of alcohol and drugs.

Learn more about some natural ways to ease conditions such as anxiety here.Peer support

Attending a support group or group counseling can be very helpful for those with a mental health condition.Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent mental health conditions. However, the following steps may reduce the risk of developing one:Communicate with family and friends, especially during stressful periods.Seek treatment promptly if any symptoms of poor mental health develop.Continue with maintenance treatment to prevent relapses of depression or other mental health conditions.Learn to manage stress through meditation, mindfulness, creative outlets, or other methods.Practice positive lifestyle choices, such as eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising.See a therapist for issues such as low self-esteem or childhood trauma, which could trigger mental health problems later in life.How to help

There are several things a person can do to help a loved one with mental health issues. For example:Look for changes in the persons behavior and mood. These may indicate the development of a mental health issue.Talk to the person and ask them how they are feeling. This is especially important if they have just experienced an upsetting event, such as divorce, bereavement, or retirement.Encourage them to talk to their doctor or a mental health professional.Offer to look up treatment providers, make an appointment for them, or attend the treatment with them.Check in with them regularly to see how they are.If someone is at risk of suicide, do not leave them alone. Call 911 and wait with them until help arrives.

Having the support of loved ones can have a significant impact on a persons recovery. Some research even suggests that some people who have suicidal thoughts but do not act on them choose not to do so because of the support of their friends and family.Helpful organizations

Organizations that may be helpful for men with mental health conditions include:the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is available at 800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264) or by free text for those in crisis (text NAMI to 741-741)the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)the Face It Foundation, which provides support groups, peer support, and other resources for men with depressionHeadsUpGuys, which is an organization that provides strategies to manage or prevent depression in menthe Movember Foundation, which is a charity that focuses on issues that affect mens physical and mental health Suicide preventionIf you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:Ask the tough question: Are you considering suicide?Listen to the person without judgment.Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.Stay with the person until professional help arrives.Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.Was this helpful? Summary

Mens mental health issues differ from womens in many ways, yet they are just as important. One concerning aspect is that men are more reluctant to seek treatment for issues they face. The risk of suicide is also much higher among men.

However, seeking and continuing treatment can have a significant positive impact on the lives of men who experience mental health difficulties. Seeking support from health professionals and loved ones can ease the symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of suicide.

Many organizations offer support to those experiencing mental health challenges, and many focus solely on providing information and help to men.

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Politics

Govt vows to protect ‘pavement pints’ and make it easier for pubs to extend their opening hours

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Govt vows to protect 'pavement pints' and make it easier for pubs to extend their opening hours

“A wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining” could come to the UK – as the government unveils plans to overhaul planning rules and “breathe new life into the high street”.

Under the proposals, ministers also want to reform licensing rules to make it easier for disused shops to be converted into hospitality venues.

In a statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she planned to scrap “clunky, outdated rules… to protect pavement pints, al fresco dining and street parties”.

The reforms also aim to prevent existing pubs, clubs, and music venues from suffering noise complaints when new properties hit the market.

Developers who decide to build near those sites will be required to soundproof their buildings.

Customers drink in an outdoor seating area of a pub in London during pandemic in December 2021
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Reuters file pic

As part of dedicated “hospitality zones”, permission for al fresco dining, street parties and extended opening hours will be fast-tracked.

The government says the reforms aim to modernise outdated planning and licensing rules as part of its Plan for Change, to help small businesses and improve local communities.

More on Hospitality

The rough plans will be subject to a “call for evidence” which could further shape policy.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the proposals will “put the buzz back into our town centres”.

“Red tape has stood in the way of people’s business ideas for too long. Today we’re slashing those barriers to giving small business owners the freedom to flourish,” he said.

The hospitality industry has broadly welcomed the changes but argued tax reform was also essential.

Kate Nicholls, chairwoman of UKHospitality, described the proposals as “positive and encouraging”.

However, she added: “They can’t on their own offset the immediate and mounting cost pressures facing hospitality businesses which threaten to tax out of existence the businesses and jobs that today’s announcement seeks to support.”

Read more from Sky News:
Licensing reforms for London venues
Pubs forced to adapt to survive

While supporting the reforms, Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), had a similar message.

“These changes must go hand in hand with meaningful business rates reform, mitigating staggering employment costs, and a cut in beer duty so that pubs can thrive at the heart of the community,” she said.

In July, BBPA estimated that 378 pubs will shut this year across England, Wales and Scotland, compared with 350 closures in 2024, which it said would amount to more than 5,600 direct job losses.

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Pubs closing at a rate of one a day

Bar chain Brewdog announced this week that it would close 10 sites, partly blaming “rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures”.

Andrew Griffith MP, shadow business secretary, said: “Though any cutting of red tape for hospitality businesses is welcome, this is pure hypocrisy and inconsistency from Labour.”

He said the government was “crippling the hospitality industry by doubling business rates, imposing a jobs tax and a full-on strangulation of employment red tape”.

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Politics

Heathrow-funded group sending ‘incredibly misleading’ mail to homes across west London, campaigners allege

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Heathrow-funded group sending 'incredibly misleading' mail to homes across west London, campaigners allege

A campaign group for a third runway at Heathrow that gets funding from the airport has been distributing “incredibly misleading” information to households in west London, according to opponents of the expansion.

The group, called Back Heathrow, sent leaflets to people living near the airport, claiming expansion could be the route to a “greener” airport and suggesting it would mean only the “cleanest and quietest aircraft” fly there.

It comes as the airport prepares to submit its planning application for a third runway ahead of the 31 July deadline, following the government’s statement of support for the expansion.

File photo dated 4/1/2016 of an Emirates Airbus A380 plane lands over houses near Heathrow Airport, west London. Exposure to aircraft noise could increase the likelihood of suffering heart attacks, according to a study. Researchers at University College London (UCL) found people who live near airports - and are subjected to noise from planes taking off and landing - may be at greater risk of poor heart health. Issue date: Wednesday January 8, 2025.
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A plane lands over houses near Heathrow Airport. Pic: PA

Back Heathrow calls itself a “local campaign group of over 100,000 residents” and does not mention the funding it receives from the airport in the newsletter.

Its website also does not mention the current financial support and says it “initially launched with funding from Heathrow Airport but we have since grown”.

Back Heathrow also told Sky News it had “always been open” about the support it receives from the airport.

At the bottom of every web page, the organisation says: “Back Heathrow is a group of residents, businesses and community groups who have come together to defend the jobs that rely on Heathrow and to campaign for its secure future.”

Heathrow Airport said it had always been clear about funding Back Heathrow, but would not disclose how much it provides.

Parmjit Dhanda in 2009 at the hustings to be Speaker of the House of Commons. Pic: Reuters
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Parmjit Dhanda in 2009 at the hustings to be Speaker of the House of Commons. Pic: Reuters

Who’s behind Back Heathrow?

The group’s executive director is former Labour minister Parmjit Dhanda, who was MP for Gloucester from 2001 to 2010 and sits on the National Policy Forum – the body responsible for developing Labour policy.

Latest accounts for Back Heathrow show it had five employees, including its two directors, in the financial year ending 30 June 2024. The second director is John Braggins, a former campaign adviser to Tony Blair.

The business had £243,961 in cash, the accounts show.

What are the group saying?

In the newsletter, executive director Mr Dhanda said people ask if Heathrow is sustainable. In answering the question, he appeared to suggest the airport can dictate what types of planes use Heathrow.

“We can build a cleaner, greener and smarter airport – using more sustainable aviation fuel, ensuring only the cleanest and quietest aircraft fly here, reduce stacking in our skies and modernise our airspace to cut emissions in flight,” he wrote.

When asked by Sky News what Back Heathrow meant and what the source for the claim was, the organisation pointed to the airport’s traffic light system of noise and emission measurements for the 50 largest airlines serving Heathrow.

“The scheme helps to see what areas certain airlines are excelling in and where improvements can be made,” a spokesperson said.

But those “cleaner and greener” claims were dismissed as “myths” by one campaigner.

Back Heathrow's spring 2025 newsletter
(use this one)
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Back Heathrow’s spring 2025 newsletter

Finlay Asher is an aerospace engineer and co-founder of Safe Landing, a group of aviation workers and enthusiasts seeking climate improvements in the industry.

He said the emissions savings from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) were “highly debatable” – but added that even if they were taken at face value, use of these fuels is “relatively low” and so only provides small emissions reductions.

“Air traffic growth at Heathrow will wipe this out,” he said.

Mr Asher also disputed the claim that only the cleanest and quietest aircraft will fly at Heathrow. “There is no policy in place which prevents older generation aircraft from being operated out of any airport,” he said.

As for reducing “stacking” – where aircraft wait over an airport to land – Mr Asher said if that’s the goal, “adding more aircraft to the sky won’t make this easier”.

Opposition to Back Heathrow’s claims also came from Rob Barnstone, founder of the No Third Runway Coalition, which is funded by five local authorities surrounding Heathrow Airport.

He said that regardless of fuel efficiencies or new quieter engines, having the additional 260,000 flights Heathrow has said will be created with an extra runway – in addition to the airport’s current cap of 480,000 – would create “an awful lot of noise”.

“For all the best will in the world, Heathrow is a very, very, very noisy neighbour… When you’re adding a quarter of a million additional flights, that’s going to create an awful lot of emissions, even if they’re using planes that are ever so slightly less environmentally damaging than previous planes,” Mr Barnstone said.

Green claims

Under the heading of “UK sustainable fuel industry for Heathrow”, Back Heathrow said “advances in electric and hydrogen powered aircraft can ensure we meet our environmental targets”.

Elaborating on this, Back Heathrow told Sky News: “Zero-emission electric and hydrogen aircraft are very much the end goal for civil aviation and countries like Norway have set 2040 as the year that all of their short-haul flights will be by electric planes.”

The statement was called “incredibly misleading” by Dr Alex Chapman, senior economist at the left-leaning think tank New Economics Foundation (NEF).

“There’s just absolutely no confidence that those aircraft are going to have any meaningful impact on emissions and commercial aviation in any reasonable time frame. And, yeah, we can all speculate as to what may not happen in 50 years’ time. But I think the people living around the airport should be given the information about what’s actually realistic.”

Even if the technology were available, the runway may not be ready for it, Dr Chapman said.

“Perhaps more importantly, there’s been no indication so far that the proposed new runway is being built to cater for those types of aircraft, because a runway that caters to electrical, hydrogen powered aircraft would be very different to one that was for conventional fuel, particularly in terms of the fuelling infrastructure around it that would be required: pipes to pipe hydrogen, massive charging power facilities.”

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Heathrow CEO on expansion plans

While work is under way to develop electric aircraft, there are currently no commercial electric flights taking place. The best-case scenario is battery-powered flights that may be suitable for short journeys.

But as a major international airport, more than 40% of Heathrow’s flights are long-haul and medium-haul.

And while airlines such as easyJet have called for government funding to develop hydrogen flying suitable for short-haul flights, there are obstacles to making regular commercial flights a reality.

Providing enough hydrogen for the plane journeys from renewable sources will be challenging, as will transporting the fuel, and reworking airport infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling.

Plans for hydrogen aircraft are at least a decade away, with Airbus saying it wants to get a 100-seat hydrogen plane in the air by 2035 – although Back Heathrow’s estimates for a third runway have flights taking off in 2034.

For now, rising emissions from flying are risking the UK’s climate targets, according to the independent government advisers of the Climate Change Committee, who found flights contribute more greenhouse gas than the entire electricity supply sector.

Back Heathrow's spring 2025 newsletter
(use this one)
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Back Heathrow’s spring 2025 newsletter

Expanding at ‘full capacity’

On the first page of the newsletter, Back Heathrow says “Heathrow is at full capacity”, but the company told Sky News the airport has been “operating at 98% capacity since 2005”.

Despite its 98% capacity, Heathrow Airport has broken passenger number records every year for the past 14 years – excluding the pandemic years of 2020 to 2023.

Dr Chapman said Heathrow is at capacity regarding the government-imposed flight cap, not at the capacity of the current runway infrastructure.

“So if the government were, for example, to lift that cap on the number of aircraft movements, it’s pretty likely that they could actually fly 10% to 20% more flights out of the existing infrastructure,” he said.

As aeroplanes have expanded to carry more passengers, the airport has welcomed more people, he added.

The airport earlier this month announced plans to increase its capacity by 10 million passengers a year, before a third runway is built, and to raise the charge paid by passengers to fund the investment.

Read more:
New internet rules come into force – here’s what is changing
Good economic news as sunny weather boosted retail sales

How have the group and the airport responded?

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Back Heathrow represents tens of thousands of local people who want to make their views known on the importance of Heathrow to their communities and livelihoods today and into the future.

“We have always been clear that, alongside individual residents, local business groups and trade unions, we provide funding for Back Heathrow to provide a voice for local people who historically have not been heard in the debate about expanding Heathrow.”

Speaking for the campaign group, Mr Dhanda said: “At Back Heathrow we are proud of our link to Heathrow Airport (the clue is in the name).

“We have always been open about the fact that we receive support from the airport and that they helped set the organisation up to balance the debate about expansion at a time when the voices of ordinary working people from the diverse communities around Heathrow were not being heard.”

“Back Heathrow also receives support from trade unions, local businesses and residents from amongst the 100,000 registered supporters it now has,” he added.

“We want an end to the dither and delay. Back Heathrow supporters want to see economic growth and the thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships a new runway will create.”

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Sports

Sovereignty rallies to win Jim Dandy at Saratoga

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Sovereignty rallies to win Jim Dandy at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion Sovereignty rallied after losing position heading into the final turn to win the $500,000 Jim Dandy by a length at Saratoga on Saturday.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty ran nine furlongs in 1:49.52 and paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favorite against four rivals, the smallest field of his career.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Sovereignty would be pointed toward the $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 23 at the upstate New York track.

Approaching the turn, there were a few tense moments as it appeared Sovereignty was retreating when losing position to the advancing Baeza and deep closers Sandman and Hill Road, leaving Sovereignty in last for a few strides.

Alvarado said he never had a doubt that Sovereignty would come up with his expected run.

“It was everybody else moving and at that time I was just like, ‘Alright let me now kind of start picking it up,'” Alvarado said. “I had 100% confidence. I knew what I had underneath me.”

Baeza, third to Sovereignty in both the Derby and Belmont, finished second. Hill Road was another 9¼ lengths back in third. Mo Plex was fourth and Sandman fifth.

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