Mental Health in Men vs. Women: The Differences We Need to Understand

Even though we talk more openly about mental health today, when it comes to men, it’s still a taboo topic. Younger generations are beginning to break the silence, but data shows that a worrying gender gap persists.

While women are more open to seeking psychological help and verbalizing their distress, men tend to hide their emotions, somatize them, or transform them into irritability, isolation, or risky behaviors.

Male mental health isn’t worse “by nature,” but it is shaped by cultural, hormonal, and social factors that make it harder to address. That’s why it’s crucial to understand these differences so you can take care of yourself—mentally as well as physically.

Biological and Hormonal Differences in Mental Health

Hormones significantly influence how we experience and regulate emotions, with some differences between men and women:

Testosterone:

Higher in men. Linked to competitiveness, energy, and self-confidence, but also impulsivity and difficulty connecting with more vulnerable emotions.

Estrogen and Progesterone:

Higher in women. They have a protective role against anxiety and depression, although their cyclical fluctuations can also lead to emotional instability.

A meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin (Salk et al., 2017) shows that women are twice as likely to develop depression, especially during hormonal changes such as adolescence or postpartum. Men, on the other hand, tend to show different symptoms, such as fatigue, anger, or substance abuse.

But here’s the catch: most differences between men and women are explained by cultural and social factors. Biological differences should not be used to justify stereotypes, but rather to tailor prevention and treatment strategies to each person’s needs.

Social Factors: The Weight of Masculine Norms

As mentioned earlier, the most powerful factor that differentiates mental health between men and women is not biological—it’s cultural. From a young age, men learn (explicitly or implicitly) that being vulnerable isn’t an option.

“Men don’t cry,” “be strong,” “don’t complain”… These seemingly harmless phrases shape male emotional behavior and create a dangerous internal disconnect. This pressure to maintain calm, control, or strength often results in:

• Difficulty identifying and naming one’s emotions
  

• Reluctance to seek professional help
  

• Social or emotional isolation
  

• Increased self-destructive behaviors
  
  

According to the WHO (2022), even though women report more depressive symptoms, men account for 75% of suicides worldwide—a difference that shows how lack of emotional communication can become a life-threatening risk.

Male mental health, therefore, requires not only more clinical attention but also a cultural shift to redefine what it means to be a man in the 21st century. Because an emotion as basic as sadness isn’t just a “female thing.”

How Emotional Distress Manifests in Men

While many women express distress through sadness or anxiety, men tend to show it more behaviorally—that is, through their actions. Common signs of emotional imbalance in men include:

• Irritability or frequent anger
  

• Lack of motivation or feelings of emptiness
  

• Increased use of alcohol, other drugs, or pornography
  

• Greater dedication to work
  

• Changes in libido or sexual performance
  

• Emotional disconnection from partners or friends
  

• Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, insomnia, or digestive issues
  
  

Many men don’t recognize these symptoms as signs of stress or sadness. The first step toward balanced mental health is acknowledging distress without judgment—because only then can it be effectively addressed.

Taking Care of Male Mental Health in Daily Life

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to take care of yourself (and it’s not recommended to wait). Here are some daily habits that promote long-term emotional balance:

• Exercise regularly: Improves self-esteem, brain oxygenation, and endorphin release
  

• Sleep well: Quality sleep reduces irritability and improves emotional regulation
  

• Avoid excessive screens or social media: Too much digital comparison and dopamine can increase anxiety and frustration
  

• Practice mindfulness or conscious breathing: Reduces mental rumination and improves body-mind connection
  

• Seek safe spaces to talk: Therapy, support groups, or sincere friendships counteract isolation
  
  

Emotional well-being isn’t just about willpower—it’s about sustainable routines that strengthen the mind just as we train the body.

Support Networks: The Key to Breaking Isolation

Having a strong support network is one of the most protective factors for mental health. However, men tend to form more instrumental than emotional bonds, focusing on action rather than conversation.

Many psychologists specializing in masculinity highlight the importance of reclaiming emotional intimacy among friends, talking about concerns, and normalizing therapy for men as essential steps toward good mental health.

It’s not about “feminizing” communication—it’s about humanizing it: learning to share without fear of judgment and recognizing that vulnerability is also a form of strength.

Breaking the Stigma: Therapy, Vulnerability, and New Masculinities

One of the biggest challenges remains men’s resistance to seeking psychological help. Many associate therapy with weakness, when in reality it’s an act of self-awareness and maturity.

The rise of public figures speaking openly about mental health—from actors like Ryan Reynolds or Bad Bunny to athletes like Andrés Iniesta or Michael Phelps—is helping to change the narrative.

Acknowledging distress, talking about it, and treating it is no longer about being “strong or weak,” but about choosing to live with coherence and well-being.

In Summary

There are biological and cultural differences in how men and women experience mental health.

Male mental health is especially affected by stigma, lack of emotional expression, and limited support networks.

Taking care of mental health requires both habit changes and a mindset shift: seeking help doesn’t make you less of a man—it makes you more human.

References:

• World Health Organization. (2022). Suicide worldwide in 2022: Global Health Estimates. WHO.
  
  

• Salk, R. H., Hyde, J. S., & Abramson, L. Y. (2017). Gender differences in depression in representative national samples: Meta-analyses of diagnoses and symptoms. Psychological Bulletin, 143(8), 783–822. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000102