Breaking the silence: Men’s mental health in the workplace
Men’s mental health in the workplace has reached a crisis point. Whether you’re a manager, HR leader, or business owner, ignoring this reality could have serious consequences for your organization. Fortunately, addressing the mental health pressures today’s working men are facing isn’t as hard as you might think.
Even if you don’t see the mental fallout right away, men’s issues in the workplace are causing lost productivity, increased rates of absenteeism, and unprecedented turnover. To make matters worse, research shows that men are less likely to seek help when they’re struggling with mental health. Workplaces that aren’t taking steps to help their employees are amplifying stress and increasing burnout in their workers.
Keep reading to learn how men’s health in the workplace might be impacting your workplace culture. We’ll explore practical strategies you can implement right now to create an environment where men are thriving and have access to the help they need.
The state of men’s mental health at work
We can no longer ignore that male workers are suffering at work, even if it’s happening behind closed doors. Research suggests that men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide, and nearly one in ten experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. Yet, less than half (41%) receive treatment. And while the numbers are higher for women, nearly 15% of men are likely to say they have “fair” or “poor” mental health.
From toxic workplace ecosystems to unrealistic work-life expectations, men often feel forced to hide their vulnerabilities at work, which only serves to raise stress levels and harm their emotional well-being. How you approach men’s mental health in the workplace can change the norm. Offering men the mental health support they desperately need can be as simple as focusing on culture, benefits, and leadership behavior.
What issues affect men in the workplace?
There are some obvious signs of stress, anxiety, and depression that everyone should learn to recognize in male employees. Men who seem to dread coming in, or who struggle to concentrate while at work, may be dealing with depression, burnout, or another mental health issue.
Workplace stress can manifest in the following ways for men:
- Substance use or misuse
- Abruptly changing their normal schedule or routines
- Constantly missing deadlines
- Feeling trapped or emotionally numb
- Expressing toxic masculinity
- Being reluctant to show vulnerability
- Feeling pressured to conform to traditional male norms
- Experiencing emotional suppression
“When men feel stress, anxiety, or burnout they may also be reluctant to get support and so symptoms may be present like irritability, anger, substance use, and failure to complete daily tasks.”
- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement
Barriers men face in seeking help
Research suggests men are far less likely than women to seek help for mental health concerns. The reasons are complex, and there’s no single answer, but stigma remains at the heart of the problem and is a known barrier to treatment.
Other barriers that prevent men from seeking help for their mental health:
- Fear of judgment: Many men worry that being vulnerable will make them seem weak or less masculine, which can be—in their minds—risky for their career and social standing.
- Toxic workplace environment: Toxic masculinity normalizes emotional suppression, discouraging men from seeking help.
- Lack of awareness: Some men don’t recognize the early warning signs of mental health struggles. Many are also unaware of the resources and benefits available to them through their workplace.
- Fear of repercussion: Men might fear seeming less competent in their roles or even being fired if they admit they need help.
“Males often are products of an environment that encourages the idea that it is a sign of strength to get through any situation and not show emotion. While in certain situations that can be beneficial, it can make it difficult for males to come forward when they need help and to discuss their emotional challenges.”
- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement
The cost of ignoring men’s mental health
Ignoring men’s health issues in the workplace can have serious consequences for your business. Whether it has a personal impact or affects your organization as a whole, the results can be significant.
Individual effects
Untreated mental health conditions combined with workplace stress can worsen symptoms. Men who don’t have adequate access to help when they need it can experience increased rates of:
- Anxiety
- Lack of engagement
- Reduced job satisfaction
- Increased rate of burnout
- Suicidal thoughts
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased irritability
- The urge to self-medicate
The fallout doesn’t stop there, either. Many studies have found that poor mental health in men can have physical repercussions, too. Research links prolonged loneliness and other mental health concerns to health issues like cognitive decline, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Organizational impact
The impact goes far beyond individual employees. For some workplaces and organizations, the stakes are just as high. Some studies estimate that missed workdays due to mental health cost the global economy up to $47.6 billion annually.
Common issues in workplaces that don’t prioritize mental health for men:
- Lost productivity
- Increased rates of absenteeism
- Higher turnover rates
- Negative workplace culture
- Increased healthcare costs
- Presenteeism
- Low engagement
- Poor morale
- Challenges attracting and retaining top talent
- Increased stigma
- Higher rates of burnout
- Damaged brand reputation
How to address men’s mental health in the workplace
Investing in men’s health in the workplace can save your organization money, but it also enhances the lives of your male workforce. By taking meaningful steps, you can transform employee mental health. Begin by reviewing policies, fostering conversations, and expanding resources.
Encourage open dialogue and normalize seeking help
Normalizing workplace conversations about stress, burnout, and emotional struggles is crucial for creating a supportive workplace climate. By encouraging men to share their experiences, you can promote empathy and inclusion.
Ways to encourage open dialogue and normalize seeking help:
- Host forums
- Encourage storytelling
- Emphasize the idea that vulnerability is a strength, not a liability
- Conduct regular, judgment-free check-ins
- Model healthy behavior in leadership
- Organize mental health months
- Partner with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Create DEI teams
Offer mental health benefits & resources
Providing comprehensive mental health benefits to employees can make a significant difference. Workers should have equal access to therapy and counseling resources, and they should know where to find them and how to access them.
Resources should be visible, accessible and tailored to men's unique needs. Talkspace offers businesses the opportunity to provide confidential online therapy sessions for employees, along with self-guided tools for additional support.
Train managers to recognize warning signs
Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the organizational ethos. Managers and team leads are uniquely positioned to spot distress, such as burnout or depression in the workplace early on, which means they can intervene and offer mental health support when it’s most effective.
Train leadership to look for and recognize signs such as:
- Changes in mood
- Differences in performance or output
- Withdrawal
- Increased absenteeism
- Lack of engagement
- Suddenly missing deadlines or meetings
- Being late to work
- Leaving early, often with no explanation
Promote flexible work and stress-reduction practices
Demanding schedules and unrealistic performance metrics can hurt all employees, not just male workers. Flexibility increases the chance that men will seek help, and stress-reduction practice can benefit everyone on your team.
To support the men who work for you, try offering:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Realistic deadlines
- Opportunities for mental health breaks
- Meditation workshops
- Self-care days
It’s important to promote practices like mindfulness and to reward productivity based on outcomes rather than the number of hours worked. By structuring a work environment that recognizes human limits, you’ll create a workplace dynamic that values employee well-being and mental health just as much as achievement.
Encourage mentorship and peer support programs
Mentorship programs and peer support networks are essential in transforming an organization's culture. Discussion groups and mentorship or leadership partnerships can help men learn to express empathy and challenge stereotypes.
Make sure that all employees, including men, have a safe space to share their experiences and practice vulnerability without fear of retribution. These mental health and well-being resources should provide healthy coping skills and give men opportunities to build trust and connection.
Taking action for men’s mental health
Addressing men’s mental health in the workplace starts by addressing the unique pressures that male employees face. By combating mental health stigma in the workplace, investing in supportive environments, and making care affordable and accessible, you can create a healthy workplace that empowers men to speak up and find effective support.
It’s imperative that all employees, regardless of gender, feel comfortable seeking help. If you’re ready to revamp your workplace environment and ensure men have access to mental health support, Talkspace offers tailored solutions designed to strengthen emotional well-being. Request a demo today to learn how Talkspace can support your entire team—including men—so they can thrive in an organization that prioritizes and values mental wellness.
Sources:
- Keohane, Aisling, and Noel Richardson. 2017. “Negotiating Gender Norms to Support Men in Psychological Distress.” American Journal of Men S Health 12 (1): 160–71. doi:10.1177/1557988317733093. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29019282/. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- “Men’s Mental Health.” n.d. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- “Mental Illness.” n.d. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- Witters, Dan, and Sangeeta Agrawal. 2022. “The Economic Cost of Poor Employee Mental Health.” Gallup.Com, December 13. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/404174/economic-cost-poor-employee-mental-health.aspx. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- Mokhwelepa, Leshata Winter, and Gsakani Olivia Sumbane. 2025. “Men’s Mental Health Matters: The Impact of Traditional Masculinity Norms on Men’s Willingness to Seek Mental Health Support; A Systematic Review of Literature.” American Journal of Men S Health 19 (3). doi:10.1177/15579883251321670. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12117241/. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- Latalova, Klara, Dana Kamaradova, and Jan Prasko. 2014. “Perspectives on Perceived Stigma and Self-Stigma in Adult Male Patients with Depression.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, July, 1399. doi:10.2147/ndt.s54081. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25114531/. Accessed October 4, 2025.
- Mushtaq, Raheel, Sheikh Shoib, Tabindah Shah, and Sahil Mushtaq. 2014. “Relationship between Loneliness, Psychiatric Disorders and Physical Health ? A Review on the Psychological Aspects of Loneliness.” JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH, January. doi:10.7860/jcdr/2014/10077.4828. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4225959/. Accessed October 4, 2025.
