Men’s Health Month: Why it Matters – And Why Mental Health Must Be Part of the Conversation
By: Erin Brown, M.Ed., LMHC-A
June is Men’s Health Month—a time to raise awareness about the unique health challenges men face and to encourage early detection and prevention. For many men, taking care of health often means focusing only on the physical: heart health, blood pressure, weight, or fitness. But true health is more than muscle and medicine—it includes mental and emotional well-being, too.
Why Men’s Health Deserves Attention
Men are statistically less likely to seek help for health issues, often waiting until symptoms become severe. This delay can lead to preventable conditions going undetected. Men also have shorter life expectancies than women, and higher rates of heart disease, substance use, and suicide.
Simply put: when men’s health is overlooked, the risks can be life-threatening.
Mental Health Is Health
Mental health is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and burnout don’t discriminate by gender—but men often feel pressure to “tough it out” or keep silent about what they’re going through. That silence can be deadly. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for men, particularly those in middle age.Taking care of mental health doesn’t make you weak—it makes you strong. It takes courage to talk about emotions, ask for help, and learn how to manage stress in healthy ways.
What You Can Do
- Schedule your checkups – Prevention is better than crisis.
- Talk to someone – A friend, a doctor, or a therapist. Opening up can be the first step toward relief.
- Move your body – Physical activity improves both physical and mental health.
- Know your signs – Fatigue, irritability, isolation, and sleep changes can be signs of depression or anxiety.
This month, let’s redefine strength. Strength means taking responsibility for your well-being, body, mind, and soul. When men take care of their health, families are stronger, communities are healthier, and futures are brighter.