Men’s Mental Health Month 2025

November marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to shine a spotlight on the mental wellbeing challenges facing men across the UK. At Vita Health Group, we’re committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent men from seeking support and ensuring everyone knows that help is available, accessible, and transformative. 

This awareness month isn’t just about statistics and campaigns – it’s about real lives, real struggles, and real solutions. Whether you’re dealing with poor sleep, managing anxiety, coping with work stress, or navigating the aftermath of trauma, understanding your mental health and knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference. 

Definition of Mental Health  

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives, influencing how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Good mental health isn’t simply the absence of mental health conditions – it’s about having the resilience and resources to cope with life’s challenges, maintain fulfilling relationships, and lead a meaningful life. 

For men, mental health can be particularly complex to navigate. Societal expectations around masculinity often discourage emotional expression, leading many men to bottle up their feelings or dismiss their struggles as something they should simply “man up” and handle alone. This outdated perspective can be incredibly damaging, preventing men from recognising when they need support and seeking help before problems escalate. 

Mental health exists on a spectrum. We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health, and it can fluctuate throughout our lives. You might experience periods of excellent wellbeing alongside times when you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or overwhelming stress. Recognising that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, is the first step towards better mental health. 

Men’s Mental Health Statistics UK 

The statistics surrounding men’s mental health in the UK paint a sobering picture that demands our attention and action. Understanding these figures helps us recognise the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for accessible mental health support. 

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. Three times as many men as women die by suicide, with men accounting for approximately 75% of all suicide deaths. These aren’t just numbers – they represent fathers, brothers, sons, partners, and friends whose lives were cut tragically short. 

Despite experiencing mental health difficulties at similar rates to women, men are significantly less likely to access psychological therapies. Research suggests that only around 36% of referrals to NHS Talking Therapies are men despite men making up half the population. This treatment gap means countless men are suffering in silence, often turning to harmful coping mechanisms rather than evidence-based support. 

One in eight men experiences a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, or panic disorder, yet many go undiagnosed and untreated. Men are also more likely to use potentially harmful coping strategies, including alcohol and substance misuse, which can mask underlying mental health difficulties whilst creating additional problems. 

Certain groups of men face particularly heightened risks. LGBTQ+ men, men from ethnic minority backgrounds, men in lower socioeconomic groups, and men in certain professions such as construction, farming, and veterans all experience elevated rates of mental health difficulties and suicide. Recognising these disparities is essential for ensuring our mental health services reach those who need them most. 

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month  

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month takes place every November, coinciding with Movember – the annual event where men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including mental health. This dedicated month provides an invaluable opportunity to start conversations, challenge stigma, and encourage men to prioritise their mental wellbeing. 

The awareness month serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it creates a cultural moment where talking about men’s mental health becomes normalised. Media coverage, workplace initiatives, and community events all contribute to reducing the stigma that stops so many men from opening up about their struggles. 

Secondly, it’s an educational opportunity. Many men simply don’t know what support is available to them or how to access it. Throughout November, organisations like Vita Health Group work to ensure men understand that effective, confidential, and free support exists through services like NHS Talking Therapies. 

Thirdly, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is a call to action – for men to check in with themselves and their mates, for employers to consider how they support male employees’ mental health, and for policymakers to ensure mental health services meet men’s needs. 

Read more about men’s health on the Vita Health Hub >> 

Men’s Mental Health Support 

Recognising you need support is one thing; knowing what kind of support is available and how to access it is another. At Vita Health Group, we want every man to understand the breadth of mental health support available and feel empowered to take that crucial first step. 

NHS Talking Therapies offer free, confidential psychological support for common mental health problems. These evidence-based treatments have helped hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, yet remain underutilised by men. 

Whether you’re dealing with anxiety that’s affecting your work performance, depression that’s making everyday tasks feel overwhelming, or PTSD following a traumatic experience, appropriate support is available. Self-refer today via our digital form, it’ll take no longer than 6 minutes >>

Men’s Mental Health Charity UK 

Numerous organisations across the UK are dedicated to supporting men’s mental health, each bringing unique perspectives and approaches to this crucial work. Understanding what’s available can help you or someone you care about find the right support. 

1. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is specifically focused on preventing male suicide. They operate a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and webchat service available from 5pm to midnight daily, providing listening support and signposting to men who are struggling. 

1. Movember, whilst perhaps best known for moustache growing, is actually a global charity funding men’s health projects, including mental health initiatives. Their focus on creating a cultural shift around men’s health has contributed significantly to opening up conversations about mental wellbeing. 

1. Mind offers comprehensive mental health support and information for everyone, with specific resources addressing men’s mental health needs. They also campaign for better mental health services and challenge discrimination. 

1. Andy’s Man Club provides peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK. These free talking groups create safe, judgement-free spaces where men can discuss their mental health challenges with others who understand.  

1. Samaritans (call 116 123) provide 24/7 emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, offering a vital lifeline during moments of crisis. 

At Vita Health Group, we work alongside these organisations, delivering NHS Talking Therapies services that provide evidence-based psychological treatments. We believe in collaborative approaches to mental health support, recognising that different men will find help through different channels. 

Men’s Mental Health Events 

Throughout Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, numerous events take place across the UK to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage men to prioritise their mental wellbeing. 

Movember events range from local fundraising activities to workplace campaigns, creating opportunities for men to engage with mental health topics in less formal settings. Many organisations host “walk and talk” events, recognising that men often find it easier to open up whilst doing an activity rather than sitting face-to-face. Check out this page for upcoming Movember events near you >> 

At Vita Health Group, we participate in and support various awareness events throughout November, and the rest of the year, ensuring men across our service areas know how to access the support they need. Find a local event near you >>  

NHS Talking Therapies for Men 

NHS Talking Therapies represent a vital resource for men experiencing mental health difficulties, yet awareness of these services remains lower among men than women. Understanding what Talking Therapies offer and how to access them could be life-changing. 

Talking Therapies services provide evidence-based psychological treatments for common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).  

One of the biggest advantages of NHS Talking Therapies is accessibility. You can self-refer – there’s no need to go through your GP, though GPs can also refer you. The process is straightforward: complete a referral form online or by phone, and you’ll be contacted for an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate support for your needs. 

Services are entirely confidential, and practitioners understand the specific barriers men face in discussing mental health. Whether you’re struggling with burnout and anxiety that’s limiting your life, or managing the impact of trauma, Talking Therapies offer practical, proven interventions. 

Treatment is typically short-term, focused on equipping you with skills and strategies to manage your mental health long-term. 

At Vita Health Group, we deliver NHS Talking Therapies across numerous areas in England, ensuring high-quality, accessible psychological support for everyone who needs it. Our practitioners are experienced in working with men from all backgrounds and understand the courage it takes to reach out for support.