Men’s Mental Health? Could it save the world?

Engaging with mental health therapy and developing emotional intelligence and empathy is critically important for men, especially in the context of relationships. Historically, most men have not engaged in mental health due to our societal expectations they be in dominant, control, centered, provider and caretaker roles, and support the family structure instead of themselves. Our society is often split on how they feel about men being caregivers or empathetic loving. There are several BIG problems here, which is why I specialize with working with men & couple’s mental health as I feel I need to help save the world by engaging them successfully. I’m trying to reduce our society’s collective trauma which is why we need to talk about men’s mental health. Here are the top 8 reasons Men Need Therapy!

1. Breaking Down Toxic Masculinity

Society often encourages men to suppress emotions, equating zero vulnerability and weakness as it would be unattractive. This makes sense as they were historically our warriors, fighters, providers, and protectors- it was a direct threat to a family or community if a man was seen as weak. I see this often in therapy, where men struggle with communicating their vulnerabilities or weaknesses. Therapy provides a safe space for men to explore their feelings without fear of judgment, which is so healing for them.

By engaging in therapy, men can challenge and deconstruct harmful societal norms around masculinity that may not be their own ideas, or they can safely explore where their belief came from in order to be conscious of it to reduce it. This leads to healthier self-expression and emotional well-being for self, pause and reflection that allows for more intentional decisions within relationships and groups, which in turn supports better mental health outcomes for all.

2. Improved Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Emotional intelligence—the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, and empathize with others—is essential for healthy relationships. Men can often assume more control due to our societal expectations that they be in control, which doesn’t allow space for them to integrate other’s perspectives, feelings, and thoughts. Therapy helps men:

• Recognize and label their emotions.

• Learn to regulate those emotions in a constructive way.

• Develop empathy, allowing them to better understand and relate to the feelings of others.

With higher emotional intelligence, men can navigate complex emotions like frustration, sadness, or joy more effectively, and communicate these feelings with clarity.

3. Stronger, Healthier & more Connected Relationships

Therapy isn't just about individual mental health; it's about improving the quality of interactions with others. Many people don’t realize that most mental health symptoms are secondary to relationship components. In relationships (romantic, familial, or friendships), emotional intelligence and empathy are foundational for connection and understanding. When men learn to identify their emotional needs, express them constructively, and understand their impact on other's emotions, they contribute to a more open, supportive, and fulfilling relationship. This allows for the ego to find a healthy collaboration and appreciation of others, which promotes friendship and teamwork mentality.

Key areas of relationship improvement include:

• Conflict resolution: Learning to manage disagreements with respect and calm.

• Active listening: Understanding the other person's perspective and emotions by postponing one’s own agenda.

• Emotional support: Offering empathy and validation when a partner is upset or stressed and allowing for more connection.

4. Better Communication Skills

One of the primary roles of a relationship therapist is to help clients develop better communication skills. This includes teaching men how to express their feelings without control - aggression, anger, or withdrawal and how to listen actively, which is actually hard to do. Good communication helps prevent misunderstandings, reduces emotional distance, and ensures that both partners feel heard and valued. This helps men feel grounded and centered with their mental health, they want to feel close and safe in their relationships just like women.

5. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Therapy encourages self-reflection and personal growth and can help someone move through their insecurities and develop strategies for change. Men who engage in therapy often experience breakthroughs in understanding themselves, their desires, and their behaviors which makes a huge impact on their overall personal growth. By building self-awareness, they can make conscious choices about how they engage in relationships, both romantic and otherwise. I recommend therapy for men throughout all life transitions and many successful men already engage in therapy for personal, professional, familial, and relationship needs to stay in a strength based approach to their goals. The Rock, Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi, Prince Harry, and so many more successful business men who have shared that therapy made a significant impact on their life trajectory.

6. Reduced Risk of Mental Health Issues

Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and stress are often exacerbated when men suppress their emotions or avoid dealing with difficult feelings. Many mental health disorders are more prevalent such as ADHD in men, however they receive services significantly less. Additionally, unfortunately men successfully end their life by suicide more frequently than women. Therapy provides a healthy outlet for emotional expression and problem-solving, which can make someone feel seen, heard, and considered enough to feel they have control in their life to make the changes they need.

Every time I see a man attend therapy, I commend him as the stigma is still there for them to attend. We need to allow them to be softer and gentler in their approaches, therefore we should celebrate their desire to know themselves better in therapy. It can also reduce the stigma around seeking help, encouraging men to prioritize mental wellness and reduce the risk of developing more serious mental health conditions. Our children are all watching to see how we handle our stress, having children see that you are valuing your mind and body enough to prioritize your mental health is profound.

7. Role Models for Future Generations

As men develop their emotional intelligence and empathy, they also become role models for younger generations and allow for the scaffolding for overall BIGGER changes. They set an example for women, sons, nephews, or younger male peers, showing them that it’s okay to seek help, express emotions, and prioritize mental health. We need this in our society as we are hurting as a collective and often lashing out or isolating too much. This can help shift the cultural narrative around masculinity toward a more holistic and emotionally mature approach.

8. Increased Resilience

Life is full of challenges—whether it's dealing with loss, life transitions, career setbacks, or personal failures. Therapy helps men develop awareness and coping mechanisms that promote resilience in the face of adversity. Emotional intelligence is a tool that allows individuals to process setbacks in a healthy way, leading to greater emotional resilience over time. This allows for healthier relationships, neighbors, company’s, and society. In summary, encouraging men to engage in mental health services helps them build emotional intelligence, improve their communication and relationship skills, and foster empathy. This not only enhances their own emotional health but also strengthens the relationships they care about, promoting healthier, more fulfilling connections which heals us all, children, animals, any and all vulnerable populations. If you need any support with male mental health psychotherapy services, please contact me.