In 2020, Olympic medalist Michael Phelps opened up about his experiences with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Despite struggling with mental health issues for 20 years, Phelps was reluctant to open up due to the stigma and lack of support surrounding men’s mental health. As we observe Men’s Health Month, Well Being Trust is sharing resources to support men in their journey to improve their mental health and well-being.
“It’s critical for men to tend their mental health at every age and stage of their lives. Mental health resources for men range from online and in-person support groups to organizations dedicated to improving men’s mental health. Additionally, men who are experiencing mental health issues also have options to seek out help from clinical professionals."
According to Mental Health America, the five leading mental health issues in men are:
- Depression: More than 6 million men have depression, but it often goes undiagnosed.
- Panic and anxiety disorders: More than 3 million men have panic disorder, agoraphobia, or another phobia.
- Bipolar disorder: An equal amount of men and women are impacted by bipolar disorder; 2.3 million people develop bipolar disorder.
- Schizophrenia: Of people diagnosed with schizophrenia by age 30, 90% are men.
- Eating disorders: Among those who have an eating disorder, 10% of people with anorexia or bulimia are men.
Below is a list of men’s mental health resources including online support, support group listings, clinical mental health directories, and more.
Online mental health resources for men
Online mental health resources can provide a wide range of screening tools, tips to manage anxiety and depression, and lists of additional resources.
- Mental Health America has links to screening tools for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addictions, among other mental health conditions.
- Active Minds, an organization dedicated to promoting mental health conversations among young adults, has a list of resources supporting Black men’s mental health.
- HeadsUpGuys provides tips and tools to help men manage depression and has a self-check depression screening tool.
- Man Therapy offers links to additional mental health resources, tips for dealing with stress, and answers to questions like, “Shouldn’t men keep their feelings to themselves?”
- Movember doesn’t just encourage men to grow mustaches — they also provide education and services to support men’s mental health.
- Brother, You’re On My Mind is a toolkit put together by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to promote mental health for Black men.
Mental health support groups for men
Health resources such as men’s support groups, offer the chance to connect with like-minded peers. - MensGroup offers men’s discussion forums and online men’s groups that focus on topics like divorce, emotions, and being a dad.
- Psychology Today has a search tool to help you find online or in-person support groups and mental health professionals.
- Face It Foundation offers support groups, individual peer support, and other opportunities to connect in social settings.
- Gaylesta allows you to search for therapy groups in your area, all of which are dedicated to the LGBTQ community.
- Clinicians of Color provides a search function that allows you to search for mental health-related groups in your area.
Find mental health therapy for men
If you decide to speak to a mental health professional, you can look for one trained in men’s issues. Here are a few resources that may help you find a therapist.
- The Men’s List is an online directory of mental health professionals that you can use to find a therapist in your area.
- Black Men Heal and Therapy for Black Men connect men of color with therapists, life coaches, and other support.
- Melanin & Mental Health is a directory of therapists with search filters for men’s issues, race and ethnicity, and mental health issues.
- InnoPsych includes a searchable directory of therapists of color who specialize in men’s mental health.
- QPoC Therapist Directory allows you to search for queer and LGBTQ-allied therapists of color.
Mental health crisis resources
Contact one of the resources below to speak with a trained counselor or get a referral for help in your area.
- Call or text 988 to be connected with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; en español (1-888-628-9454)
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line number 741-741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
- Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-622-HELP (4357) for referrals to treatment centers, support groups, and community mental health agencies.
