Men’s Mental Health at Work: What HR Leaders Need to Know

June is Men’s Health Month, and while prompts for physical checkups and fitness goals often take the spotlight, mental wellbeing is also a part of the picture. But for many men, it’s the part that’s hardest to name and even harder to ask for help with. 

Most of us know what it feels like to carry something heavy and not know how to talk about it. For a lot of men, that weight is mental health. Whether it shows up as stress, irritability, low motivation, or just not feeling like yourself, the signals are there, but the drive to access support often isn’t. 

Workplace norms and societal expectations all factor into why it can be harder for men to ask for help and easier to stay silent. But for HR leaders building a culture of wellbeing, men’s mental health deserves focused attention…and a more nuanced approach. 

“Loneliness is often endorsed as one of the top stressors in our lives, and many men suffer from it.”

The unseen cost of staying silent

Mental health challenges affect people of any gender, but men are often less likely to talk about it or seek support. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, men are significantly less likely than women to seek or receive mental health support. And in the U.S. alone, men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths, a sobering statistic that underscores how urgent this issue is.  

Loneliness is another piece of the puzzle, one that many men experience but rarely talk about. As LifeSpeak expert Mícheál O’Rourke shares in a resource video titled Men and Loneliness: You Are Not Alone, 

“Loneliness is often endorsed as one of the top stressors in our lives, and many men suffer from it. Loneliness and social isolation are different, but related. Loneliness is an emotional state. Social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely being with other people in large groups.” 

This emotional disconnection can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, and, in some cases, unhealthy coping strategies like substance use or social withdrawal. 

The cost of this silence is not just personal. Unaddressed mental health challenges can take a toll on individuals and relationships, and over time, the ripple effects may be felt across teams and organizations. When employees are struggling, it shows up at work, even if they’re doing their best to hide it. 

Breaking mental health stigma for men at work 

For many men, the stigma around mental health doesn’t always show up as silence; it can look like overwork, withdrawal, or brushing off emotional struggles entirely. As O’Rourke explains in the LifeSpeak video How Men Can Take Ownership of Their Own Mental Health, 

“Much of this has to do with long-standing societal expectations on men, who are often told by their communities to suppress their emotions and keep silent about mental health struggles.” 

To challenge stigma at work, organizations need to lead by example. When leaders model openness, offer evidence-based resources, and create psychologically safe spaces, they help normalize conversations that can often stay hidden. 

How HR leaders can support men’s mental health 

Because needs surface unpredictably, build a workplace where mental health feels supported. Here are a few ways to start: 

1. Normalize mental health conversations

• Offer regular check-ins and promote mental health awareness days. 

• Provide manager training to spot signs of distress, including physical cues like fatigue, irritability, or changes in energy levels. 

• Promote inclusive messaging and content to show that taking care of mental health is normal and encouraged. 

2. Offer accessible, trusted mental health tools

• Offer on-demand, evidence-based tools employees can explore privately, whenever they’re ready. 

• Highlight resources specifically geared toward men’s experiences – such as stigma, substance use, or managing difficult emotions – and consider how also including fitness and recovery tools can support mental wellbeing. As LifeSpeak contributor and fitness expert Tom Toth shares in the article Men, Here Are 4 Ways Exercise Boosts Your Health, “Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health: it improves us in every way, physically and mentally.” 

• Consider offering solutions like LifeSpeak Holistic Wellness, which provides 24/7 access to expert content and support for mental health, mindfulness, nutrition and more, including resources specifically geared toward men’s mental health. 

3. Keep support visible

• Make mental health resources easy to find and available in multiple formats 

• Avoid putting the burden on individuals; instead, offer low-friction ways to access help if and when they need it 

Creating a culture that supports men’s wellbeing 

Supporting men’s mental health requires understanding and addressing the unique challenges some employees face. It’s about recognizing that different groups face different barriers and meeting people where they are. 

When we open the door to mental health conversations, create safe pathways to support, and ensure everyone has access to credible resources, we don’t just help men. We make it easier for everyone to bring their whole selves to work. 

Looking for more ways to support men’s health at work? 

LifeSpeak Inc.’s expert-led resources cover stress, resilience, substance use, parenting, and more – available anytime, anywhere. 

Explore our solutions today.