WEST VIRGINIA (WVDN) – As June gets underway, health officials and advocacy groups across the country are recognizing Men’s Mental Health Month, a nationwide effort to spotlight an often-overlooked public health crisis.
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among men in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 39,000 men died by suicide in 2022, making up nearly 80% of all suicide deaths. That amounts to an average of 107 suicides per day, or about one every 13 minutes. Each month an estimated 3,273 men die by suicide.
The risk is highest among younger men. For males ages 18 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. White men account for nearly 70% of male suicide deaths, though suicide rates are increasing among Black, Latino and Indigenous men as well.
Experts say stigma, lack of access to mental health care and social pressure to appear strong and self-reliant are major barriers that prevent men from seeking help.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 6 million men in the U.S. experience depression each year. Yet, research shows men are significantly less likely than women to receive a diagnosis or seek treatment.
Mental health professionals point to a range of contributing factors, including untreated mental illness, financial stress, substance use and social isolation. Men are also more likely to use highly lethal means, such as firearms, when attempting suicide.
In response, national organizations including the Movember Foundation, Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness are using the month of June to promote public education, increase outreach and encourage open conversations about mental health.
Some efforts include community forums, media campaigns and expanded access to telehealth services tailored specifically for men. Workplaces, schools and faith-based organizations are also being encouraged to take part in destigmatizing mental health support.
Health advocates say long-term solutions must include increasing funding for mental health services, improving insurance coverage and addressing shortages of culturally competent care providers. They also call for greater attention to the unique needs of men in rural and underserved communities.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by phone or text for anyone in emotional distress. Calls are free and confidential.
Men’s Mental Health Month aims to break the silence and send a clear message: It’s OK to ask for help and no one should have to struggle alone.
