By Krysti Vo, MD
Medically reviewed by Krysti Vo, MD, double-board certified psychiatrist and founder of Vo.Care.
If you’re in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
TL;DR
Men’s Health Awareness Month happens twice a year: June in the US, led by Men’s Health Network, and November worldwide, through Movember and International Men’s Day on November 19. Both are a chance to focus on men’s mental health. Men account for nearly 4 in 5 US suicides, yet they are far less likely than women to get treatment.
Men’s health awareness month comes around twice a year. June focuses on men’s health in the US, and November brings Movember and International Men’s Day to the global stage. As a psychiatrist, I pay closest attention to the piece both months share and that men talk about least: their mental health.
Many men grow up believing they should handle hard things alone. That belief makes sense, and it also keeps a lot of men from getting help that works. This guide covers when each month happens, what depression can look like in men, and what to do if something here sounds familiar.
When is Men’s Health Awareness Month?
It depends on who you ask, and both answers are right. Different groups lead each month, and each puts the spotlight in a slightly different place.
|
Month |
Who leads it |
Main focus |
|---|---|---|
|
June |
Men’s Health Network (US) |
Preventable health problems, early detection, and treatment |
|
November |
Movember and International Men’s Day (global) |
Mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, testicular cancer |
June: Men’s Health Month in the US
Men’s Health Network sponsors Men’s Health Month every June. Its goal is to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage men to get checked early. The month grew out of Men’s Health Week, which Congress passed in 1994. That week always ends on Father’s Day.
November: Movember and International Men’s Day
Movember asks men to grow a mustache for the month to start conversations and raise money. The charity focuses on three areas: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
International Men’s Day falls on November 19 every year. In 2026 it lands on a Thursday, and the global theme is “The Future Is Everyone.”
Is there a men’s mental health awareness month?
No single month holds that official title. Many groups use June to talk about men’s mental health, and Movember makes it a central theme each November. The best answer: any month you take your mental health seriously counts.
Why men’s mental health needs its own month
Two facts explain why. Men die by suicide far more often than women, and men get mental health treatment far less often.
The numbers behind the concern
Men make up about half of the US population, but nearly 4 in 5 people who die by suicide are men. Since 2014, the suicide rate for men has stayed about 3 to 4 times higher than the rate for women.
There is some encouraging news in the same data. Between 2023 and 2024, suicide rates fell for men ages 15 to 44. Suicide is preventable, and support makes a real difference.
The treatment gap
In 2024, about 1 in 8 men took medication for their mental health, compared with about 1 in 4 women. About 1 in 9 men saw a counselor or therapist, compared with about 1 in 6 women.
The gap holds even among people with a diagnosable condition. In 2022, about 4 in 10 men with a mental illness got treatment, compared with nearly 6 in 10 women. So the gap is not only about who has symptoms. Men who meet the criteria for a mental illness are still less likely to get care.
The cost of keeping it in
Many men learn early to keep their feelings to themselves. A systematic review found that traditional masculine norms strongly discourage men from seeking mental health support. A World Health Organization review named three of the biggest barriers: self reliance, difficulty expressing emotions, and a strong value on self control.
Holding things in does not make them go away. According to NIMH, men with depression often hide their emotions and may seem angry or irritable instead of sad, or notice the problem first in their body.
How depression and anxiety can look different in men
Depression in men often does not look like sadness. Because men may seem angry or tired instead of down, NIMH notes that family, friends, and even doctors can miss it. Here are the patterns worth knowing.
Irritability, anger, or a short fuse
A man with depression may snap at his kids, lose patience in traffic, or feel on edge most of the day. Low mood drains the reserves that normally help people tolerate frustration, so small things start to feel big. Anger can be easier to show than sadness, especially for men raised to hide hurt.
Overworking or pulling away
Some men throw themselves into work so they do not have to sit with how they feel. Others stop answering texts, skip the gym, or lose interest in hobbies they used to love. Loss of interest is one of the core signs of depression. If long hours have left you running on empty, our guide to burnout symptoms can help you tell the two apart.
Drinking more to wind down
NIMH notes that some men turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional symptoms. A drink can feel like it takes the edge off. But alcohol disrupts sleep in the second half of the night, and poor sleep makes mood and anxiety harder to manage the next day.
Symptoms that show up in the body
A racing heart, a tight chest, ongoing headaches, or stomach trouble can all be signs of a mental health problem, according to NIMH. Many men see a doctor for these physical symptoms long before they mention stress or mood.
Anxiety that looks like restlessness
Anxiety in men may show up as tension, trouble sitting still, or a mind that will not shut off at night, rather than worry they put into words. If that sounds familiar, read more about getting help for anxiety.
Why men hesitate to seek help
Putting off help is common among men, and it usually has real reasons behind it. One review of the research sorted those reasons into four main barriers: cost and access, fear of stigma, not knowing enough about mental health, and reluctance to talk about emotions.
“I should be able to handle this”
Many men learned that struggling quietly is a form of strength. Seeing a psychiatrist can feel like admitting defeat. A different way to see it: you would see a doctor for a knee that would not heal. Your mood, sleep, and focus deserve the same practical attention.
Not knowing what treatment involves
Some men worry they will be pushed onto medication or handed a label they did not ask for. A first visit is a conversation, not a commitment. You and your psychiatrist decide on a plan together, and that plan may or may not include medication.
Time, work, and cost
Taking time off work for appointments can feel impossible. Telehealth removes much of that friction, since you can meet from home or a quiet room at the office.
When to see a psychiatrist
You do not need to be in crisis to talk to someone. These signs mean it is worth a check in:
- Symptoms like low mood, irritability, or loss of interest have lasted two weeks or longer. NIMH uses two weeks as the threshold for diagnosing depression.
- Stress or mood is getting in the way of your work, sleep, or relationships.
- You are drinking more, or relying on alcohol or other substances to get through the day.
- You have thoughts of self harm or suicide. Please reach out now using the resources in the box below.
Psychiatrist or therapist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication when it helps, and coordinate therapy. A therapist focuses on talk therapy. Many people see both. For a fuller comparison, read psychiatrist vs. psychologist.
What happens at a first psychiatric visit
Your psychiatrist will ask about what you have noticed, how long it has been going on, and how it affects your daily life. Expect questions about sleep, energy, alcohol use, health history, and what you hope to change. You leave with a shared plan, which may include therapy, lifestyle changes, medication, or a mix.
If you’re in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. You can also chat at 988lifeline.org. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
How to support a man in your life
You may notice changes before he does. Your role is to open the door and keep it open, and leave the diagnosis to a professional.
Start the conversation
Pick a calm moment, ideally side by side: on a walk, in the car, or while doing something together. A conversation without constant eye contact can feel less like an interrogation. Lead with what you have seen, not a label. “You’ve seemed wiped out lately. How are you really doing?” lands better than “I think you’re depressed.”
What to say, and what to skip
Listen more than you advise. Reflect back what you hear so he knows you understood. Skip lines like “just cheer up” or “other people have it worse,” which tend to shut the conversation down.
Follow up
One talk rarely fixes things. Check in again within a week. Offer practical help, like looking up a psychiatrist together or sitting with him while he books a visit. If he mentions suicide, ask him directly about it, stay with him, and call or text 988 together.
Men’s Health Awareness Month: What men can do this month
Small, specific steps add up. Pick one or two that feel doable.
- Book a check in. A visit with a doctor or psychiatrist gives you a baseline, even if you feel mostly fine.
- Tell one person the truth. Choose someone you trust and give them a real answer to “how are you?”
- Move your body. A 2024 review of 218 trials found that walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training all eased depression symptoms, with larger benefits from more vigorous exercise. Start with what you will actually do. A brisk walk counts.
- Notice your drinking. Track how many drinks you have this week and how you sleep afterward. Many people find the pattern easier to change once they see it written down.
One small step
This week, text one friend you have not talked to in a while. Ask how they are doing, and give an honest answer when they ask you back.
Getting care with Vo Care
Vo Care offers telehealth psychiatry for adults in 31 states, so you can meet with an online psychiatrist from home, your car, or a quiet room at work. Patients in New York can also request in person visits.
Your first visit focuses on understanding what is going on and what you want to change. From there, you and your psychiatrist build a plan together.
Questions to bring to your appointment
- Could my irritability, poor sleep, or low energy be signs of depression or anxiety?
- How might my drinking be affecting my mood and sleep?
- What are my treatment options, including ones that do not involve medication?
- If medication becomes part of the plan, what should I watch for in the first few weeks?
- How will we know whether treatment is helping?
Frequently Asked Questions
When is International Men's Day?
International Men’s Day is November 19 every year. In 2026, it falls on a Thursday.
What is Movember?
Movember is a global men’s health charity and a November campaign. Participants grow a mustache to start conversations and raise money for mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Is Men's Health Month in June or November?
Both. In the US, Men’s Health Network leads Men’s Health Month in June. In November, Movember and International Men’s Day bring a global focus to men’s health, with a strong emphasis on mental health.
Can I see a psychiatrist online?
Yes. Telehealth psychiatry lets you meet with a psychiatrist by video for evaluations, therapy coordination, and medication management when appropriate. Vo Care offers telehealth visits to adults in 31 states.
If this sounds familiar, a conversation with a psychiatrist can help you sort out what’s going on. You can book a consultation.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about your health, talk with a qualified clinician.