Supporting Mental Health in Boys and Young Men
Movember - Men’s Health Awareness Month
From an early age, many boys hear “tough it out,” “man up,” “don’t be a sissy” or that “boys don’t cry.” These messages might seem harmless, but even those well-intentioned can often teach and/or condition boys while growing up into believing that their emotions make them weak and are something to be ashamed of.
As a result, it has the potential to bring lasting consequences for the mental health of young men especially during adolescence which is a crucial time for emotional development. Boys learn to keep up walls, quietly struggle with, suppress and bottle up their feelings instead of being able to express them. This can be influenced through the media, peers, family, culture or traditional gender norms and expectations of society. Over time, that silence can take a heavy toll on their mental health. It can reinforce and intensify cycles of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts that may persist into adulthood if not treated or undertreated.
As boys grow into teens and adults, the pressure to seem strong and independent can lead them to hold that pain in alone. All boys are susceptible as almost 40% of high school students in the U.S. reported persistent sadness or hopelessness and 20% had seriously considered suicide, with adolescent males at a higher risk for fatal outcomes despite attempts being more common by adolescent females. Sadly, men die by suicide at 4x the rate of women. Now, the silence doesn’t just impact their mental health, it can damage relationships, affect performance at school or work, lead to a poorer quality of life later on, and have an effect on their overall well-being.
At NSPW, we recognize how transformative it can be when young men feel safe enough to talk about what they went through and may be currently going through. All it takes sometimes is just a genuine conversation. That single moment of honesty and transparency can be the first step towards healing.
Despite growing efforts to evolve the conversation around men’s mental health, there is still work to do at all levels. More spaces need to be created where boys and men across the lifespan feel heard, supported, validated and understood without judgment. From families, schools, and communities, we can all play a role in advancing emotional openness among males and showing that vulnerability is strength, not weakness.
As mental health professionals, our role is to challenge harmful ideas and beliefs about masculinity, offer safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression plus authenticity, and remind men of all ages that seeking help is not a failure, it is an act of courage.
Take part in breaking the silence in both big and small ways. It can be as simple as checking in with the boy that has been quiet or keeping to himself more than usual. It’s asking the males in your life how they are feeling, and reminding them it’s okay to feel what they may feel. It’s displaying by example that feelings are something to understand rather than hide. It’s okay to not be okay, and to seek help. We are all human beings who feel emotions.
Together, we can help boys, men, and generations to come learn that their feelings do matter. By building a future where they feel as well as know they deserve care, compassion, and support too. Every open conversation can bring us closer to a world where everyone feels safe to speak up, seek help, and thrive.
References
CDC. (2025a, March 26). Facts about suicide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
CDC. (2025b, March 26). Suicide data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Fine, S. L., Harrison, A., Rykiel, N. A., & Herrera, M. M. (2025). Adolescents' Perceptions of Gendered Influences on Mental Health: Results From a 13-Country Qualitative Study. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 77(3), 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.02.036
Griffith, D. M., Ogunbiyi, A., & Jaeger, E. (2024, April 2). Men and Mental Health: What are we missing?. AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/news/men-and-mental-health-what-are-we-missing
Hua, L. L., Lee, J., Rahmandar, M. H., Sigel, E. J., COMMITTEE ON ADOLESCENCE, & COUNCIL ON INJURY, VIOLENCE, AND POISON PREVENTION. (2023, December 11). Suicide and suicide risk in adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected