Men’s Mental Health Matters
Daniel Rusco, LMHC, Therapist in Seattle & Washington State
Why We Need to Talk About It
Mental health remains one of the most urgent, yet under-addressed issues facing men today. Despite similar rates of mental health conditions in men and women, men are far less likely to seek help—and the consequences can be severe.
For example:
Mind Wise reports that nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety—but less than half of them receive treatment.
In the U.S., men account for about 75% of all suicides.
Social and cultural expectations around masculinity (“be strong,” “don’t show weakness,” “man up”) make it harder for men to admit vulnerability and reach out.
For men who are balancing careers, relationship roles, fatherhood, and identity transitions, this means staying silent can cost more than just unseen suffering—it can impact daily functioning, relationships, work performance, and life span. At Daniel Rusco Therapy, we believe that beginning the conversation is a powerful first step toward true strength and resilience—not a sign of weakness.
The Unique Challenges Men Face
The Masculinity Trap
From early on, many men are socialised to hide their emotional experiences, to tough it out, and to avoid asking for help. These ingrained norms create a mental-health burden:
Sierra Vista Hospital notes that emotional distress gets channelled into anger, irritability, substance use, or isolation rather than sadness or internalized struggle.
The stigma around “needing help” remains strong. One survey found only 35% of men said they would see a mental-health professional compared to 58% of women.
Under-recognition & Misdiagnosis
According to Sierra Vista Hospital, because symptoms may present differently in men—irritability rather than tearfulness, risk-taking or substance use rather than withdrawn sadness—they often go undiagnose.
Moreover, the lack of close friendships or avenues for support means men may suffer quietly:
Spring Health reports that many men report having few or no close friends.
With fewer avenues to share internal states, risk increases for escalation into crisis.
Life Stages and Role Pressures
Whether it’s the pressures of providing, fathering, leading, or ageing—men often carry role-based expectations that make vulnerability feel incompatible with identity. The cost? Reduced emotional bandwidth, suppressed feelings, burnout, fractured relationships.
Why Mental Health Impacts Every Area of Life
Mental health isn’t just about “feeling good”—it touches how you show up in work, in family, in personal purpose. Here’s how:
Work & Productivity: Untreated depression, anxiety, substance use or burnout reduce performance, increase absenteeism, and degrade job satisfaction.
Relationships: When emotional pain is internalised, it erodes trust, connection, and intimacy. Men may retreat from partners or children rather than engage in the hard conversations.
Physical Health: Mental health challenges increase risk for heart disease, stroke, metabolic issues—and those risk factors are higher when emotional stress is unprocessed.
Life Satisfaction & Meaning: Men who aren’t connected to meaningful outlets for emotional expression or purpose often report existential pain, loneliness, or disconnection from their own lives.
How to Shift the Narrative – Practical Steps
1. Redefine Strength
True strength isn’t invisibility—it’s resilience. It’s saying: “I’m willing to look at what’s going on inside.” That doesn’t undermine masculinity—it transforms it.
Replace phrases like “man up” or “just get over it” with “Let’s talk about it.”
Understand that vulnerability is not failure—it’s a path to growth.
2. Get Ahead of It – Don’t Wait for Crisis
Waiting until things are unbearable is risky. Some ideas:
Check in regularly with how you feel: restless, irritable, disconnected, exhausted?
Use screening tools, apps or an introductory session with a therapist just to “see where you are.” Early intervention tends to mean less escalation.
Build micro-habits of self-care: movement, meaningful connection, rest, purpose check-ins.
3. Build a Support Network
You don’t have to go it alone.
Initiate real conversations with trusted peers: “How are you really doing?”
Consider men’s groups, peer support, or therapy focused on men’s issues. Normalization matters.
At home, share emotional load with partner/family/children as appropriate and model emotional honesty.
4. Seek Therapy Without Shame
Therapy isn’t a sign of defeat—it’s a strategic investment in your capacity, your relationships, your legacy.
Approach therapy like you approach physical training: regular, proactive, skill-building.
Find a therapist who understands men’s experiences—role stress, identity, social expectation.
At Daniel Rusco Therapy, we create a space where you can bring your full self, unpack role pressure, deepen emotional literacy, and integrate mental fitness into your life.
5. Purpose & Meaning Make a Difference
Men often lean on “provider,” “leader,” “protector” identities—but what about “explorer,” “creator,” “connector”?
Consider what really matters to you beyond duty.
Ask: What legacy do I want to build? What values do I want to live by?
Align actions with meaning—this anchors mental health in something bigger than self.
Help is Available
If you’re reading this and resonating, here’s what you can do today:
Take five minutes and check in with yourself: “How is my mood? What’s one thing I’m carrying that I haven’t named?”
Reach out to someone you trust and say: “I want to check-in about something.”
If you feel stuck, frustrated, numb or disconnected: consider scheduling a consult at Daniel Rusco Therapy. A single session can unlock months of growth.
If you know a man who is silent or seems distant: ask him plainly and gently, “How are you really doing?” and sit with his answer.
Men’s mental health isn’t a fringe issue—it’s central to thriving, to being fully alive, to being the kind of person you want to be for your family, your work, your life. At Daniel Rusco Therapy, we’re committed to helping men step into their emotional lives, break old patterns, heal their internal world—and in doing so build stronger external worlds.
When you look back on your life 10 years from now, what will you wish you’d done today? Let’s make sure you answer that question with confidence and integrity—not regret.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (or appropriate emergency services in your region).
You don’t have to go it alone. Let’s move from survival to strength—together.
I’m a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state. I provide therapy for men in Seattle, Silverdale, Bainbridge Island and all across Washington state. You can schedule a free consultation with me.