Men's Mental Health: Asking for help is not weakness—it’s courage.

June is Men's Mental Health Month, a time to shine a light on the often-overlooked mental health issues that affect fathers, brothers, sons, colleagues, and friends across the country. Mental health struggles in men are often missed or dismissed, resulting in far too many men are suffering in silence. Historically, from a young age, many boys are told to “man up,” “tough it out” and avoid crying, thus equating strength with silence. As a physician who has worked closely with men experiencing mental health challenges, particularly those already dealing with psychosocial stressors all too often seen in Baltimore, I want to send a clear message that this kind of cultural conditioning doesn’t just stifle emotions, it can be fatal.

Men across the U.S. die by suicide nearly four times more often than women, yet are diagnosed with depression at significantly lower rates. Right here in Maryland, and particularly in Baltimore City, we see the impact of untreated mental illness compounded by economic hardship, substance use and lack of access to appropriate care.

In my work, I have seen the negative impact of stigma surrounding mental illness, which is often further amplified amongst men of color. Too many endure depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use in silence, fearful that speaking up will be seen as a sign of weakness. Cultural variations that affect perceptions of mental health care complicate matters further. We must break the cycle, starting with normalizing conversations about mental health amongst men.

We are fortunate to have strong resources in Maryland, including Sheppard Pratt’s network of services, but access is just the beginning. We need to invest in early intervention, workforce diversity, and outreach that reflects Baltimore’s cultural richness and complexity. We must check in with our neighbors, our coworkers, our sons. It means building and supporting programs that meet men where they are, with empathy, not judgment. Finally, we need to elevate the voices of men who’ve found healing, so others feel less alone.

To the men reading this: Your mental health matters. You don’t have to carry the weight alone. Asking for help is not weakness—it’s courage.