Welcome to Men's Health Week 2025! This year in the UK, the focus is on adopting a strategic approach to men's health, a key theme championed by organisations like the Men's Health Forum [1].
What does a strategic approach mean for your mental well-being?
It might involve moving beyond quick fixes, or being too reactive and waiting for things to get worse. It could mean taking a proactive stance, understanding that your mental health is as vital as your physical health, and that it deserves a well-thought-out, informed plan.
For too long, conversations around men's mental health have been shrouded in silence, stigma, or a reactive scramble for help when things get overwhelming. This Men's Health Week, we're advocating for a shift towards creating action.
We invite you to join us in exploring what a strategic approach to your mental health truly looks like. From understanding common challenges and breaking down old stigmas to discovering the real benefits of professional support and finding the right fit for your unique needs, we're here to guide you.
At Men's Counselling Service, our mission is to empower men to live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives. Focusing on a narrower window to men's health, we will specifically look at men's mental health in the UK, as we work towards ensuring that men seeking the right mental health support shouldn't be a struggle.
What are the Perceived Barriers Preventing Men from Accessing Support?
To effectively implement a strategic approach, we must first understand the landscape of challenges. In Men’s Health Week 2025, we want to remind readers what we are trying to achieve to overcome the persistent barriers men face when seeking mental health support. We will focus on strategically tackling these perceived barriers, which include:
Symptom Recognition or Poor Mental Health Literacy [2]: Many men struggle to identify and articulate the signs of poor mental health, often leading to delayed intervention. Building awareness around the common mental health challenges men are facing is crucial, aiming to help men recognise these signs and symptoms earlier.
Insufficient Targeted Campaigns and a Lack of Available Information [3]: Generic mental health campaigns often fail to resonate with men. There's a need for tailored communications, marketing, and resources that speak directly to men’s experiences and concerns.
Self-Stigma and Societal Stigmas [3]: The internalised belief that seeking help is a sign of weakness (self-stigma) combined with broader societal pressures, often stemming from traditional notions of masculinity, creates significant barriers. Our goal is to reframe therapy in a context of strength and self-care, exploring the benefits, and challenging the idea that accessing support is a sign of weakness.
Self-Reliance [2, 3]: The deeply ingrained cultural expectation of self-reliance can prevent men from admitting vulnerability or seeking external help. Educating men on the active and empowering role they play in accessing therapy, and providing a clear, navigable pathway to support, is vital.
At Men’s Counselling Service, we officially launch in November 2025. From that point, our core focus will be contributing directly towards eroding each of these identified barriers. Between now and November 2025, our efforts are dedicated to developing a platform that can serve men in the best way possible. Amongst many activities, this period is focused on establishing key partnerships, growing essential resources, and preparing targeted campaigns to ensure we hit the ground running.
Breaking the Silence: Debunking Mental Health Stigma for Men
The discussed barriers, particularly the pervasive self-stigma and societal stigmas, underpin our belief that breaking the silence around men's mental health is so critical. In many cultures, traditional masculine norms have long dictated that men should be stoic, self-reliant, and emotionally impenetrable [4]. Phrases like "man up," "boys don't cry," or "tough it out" are deeply ingrained, creating an environment where admitting to emotional struggle can feel like a sign of weakness. These ‘protective’ and somewhat ‘harmful’ consequences of societal perceptions of masculinity are well documented [5]. We could argue that this pervasive cultural pressure may oftentimes contribute significant mental health stigma for men.
Although it is difficult to identify a single cause for this stigma facing men, what we believe is that the stigma doesn't start and end with ‘feeling ashamed’; it has tangible consequences. It can manifest as:
Higher Rates of Suicide: Tragically, in the UK, men are disproportionately affected by suicide, accounting for three-quarters of all suicide deaths [3]. Men between age forty to forty-nine have the highest rates of suicide in the UK [10].
Reluctance to Seek Help: In the UK, Men account for only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies [11}. Despite experiencing mental health challenges, men are often less likely to seek professional help, delaying intervention until symptoms become severe or reach crisis [7].
Higher Substance Abuse: In a recent 2023/24 Gov Adult Substance report, over two-thirds of clients receiving treatment for substance abuse were male (68%) in the UK [12].
Lower Life Expectancy: Although not specifically focusing on mental health, given this is men’s health week; men living in the UK have a life expectancy that females, by 4 years [13].
Minimising Symptoms: Men may downplay feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress, this internalisation prevents open discussion and early support [8].
Social Isolation: Fearing judgment if their struggles are revealed, and a lack of trusted contact, both contribute to non-disclosure of depression in men [9].
This Men's Health Week, let us all challenge these outdated norms. We believe it’s time to look at therapy in the same light as a gym membership, or a doctor's appointment. True strength is found in acknowledging emotions, and bravely seeking the support needed to navigate them. Recognising a need for help is an act of courage – it's a strategic move for your mental health. Breaking the silence starts with open conversations. It begins with creating spaces where men feel safe to express vulnerability without fear of judgment. It involves understanding that mental health issues are not character flaws, but health conditions that respond to care and support, just like physical ailments. Why is it that some men are proud of training their bodies physically, but ashamed of understanding their minds?
Beyond 'Man Up': What Are The Common Mental Health Challenges Men Face
Part of strategically tackling barriers like poor mental health literacy [14] or a tendency to downplay or minimise symptoms [15] may involve understanding how mental health challenges manifest in men. While mental health challenges don't discriminate, the way they present can differ significantly between genders, with men having a tendency to externalise ‘symptoms’ [16]. Understanding the nuances may feed into a proactive stance on men’s mental well-being. We’re producing an article on the common mental health challenges men face, check back in with us shortly to read this.
Finding Your Fit: A Clear Pathway Way for Men Thinking About Therapy
Taking a strategic approach to your mental health means not just identifying challenges, but actively seeking and finding the right solutions. For many men, the idea of counselling might feel daunting, or the process of finding a suitable therapist can seem overwhelming. This is where we believe a transparent approach that aims to normalise the process of accessing support becomes important for men seeking help.
We believe a barrier to seeking professional help, beyond stigma, is simply knowing where to start and who to trust. The landscape of counselling can appear vast and uncertain. You might ask: How do I find someone who truly understands what I am going through? Will I be judged by my therapist? How do I ensure they are qualified? Is my counsellor trained in the issues I'm facing?
This is where Men's Counselling Service can help. Our national directory is specifically designed to cut through the noise and connect you with qualified counsellors across the UK who have a particular focus and understanding of men's mental health.
We simplify the process, helping you to learn more about counselling, the types of counselling, what training and experience counsellors have, and trusting your judgment in allowing you to find the right support for you (we won’t match you to someone we ‘think’ might be able to help, you reach out to the person you want to work with):
We focus on listing professionals who are committed to providing empathetic, non-judgmental support that resonates with men's unique experiences and communication styles.
Finding the "right fit" with a counsellor is paramount to the success of your therapeutic journey. It builds trust, encourages openness, and allows you to truly engage with the process. Our directory helps you strategically navigate this choice, rather than leaving it to chance. At Men's Counselling Service, we believe that taking control of your mental health journey starts with accessible and tailored information. While our official launch is in November 2025, we are actively building this comprehensive platform now to ensure that when you are ready to take that strategic step towards support, the path is clear and direct.
Counselling Isn't Weakness: Real Benefits for Men
Once you've identified the challenges and found the right support, it's vital to understand the genuine value and practical benefits that counselling offers. For too long, a pervasive myth has suggested that seeking professional help for your mental health is a sign of weakness. This harmful notion couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, counselling is a profound act of strength, courage, and a strategic investment in your overall well-being. It's about taking proactive control when you recognise you need a different perspective or new tools.
Therapy isn't just for moments of crisis; it can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth, resilience, and a more fulfilling life. It offers a confidential and non-judgmental space where you can explore thoughts and feelings without the pressures you might experience with friends or family. Research demonstrates the efficacy of different types of psychotherapy across a wide range of issues such as Depression [17] and Anxiety [18].
There are limitation to assessing the tangible benefits of psychotherapy, such as the subjective nature of well-being, difficulties in isolating therapeutic effects from life in general, the complexity within therapeutic processes, and the different modalities within psychotherapy. Yet, we do not believe the limitation detracts from some of the reported benefits to psychotherapy, nor make them less applicable to the male population.
Benefits men could find from engaging in counselling may include, enhance self-awareness, improved problem solving skills, emotional regulation, stronger relationships, improved resilience, more focus and presence, reducing stress, and discovering (more) meaning.
The argument is that trying therapy is a proactive, strategic step towards building a life of greater authenticity, emotional intelligence, and lasting well-being. It’s an investment in yourself that could yield dividends across every aspect of your life. The impact of therapy for men, extends beyond the counselling room. Complimenting counselling with proactive daily habits could also play a critical role in improving men’s health in a holistic way.
Simple Steps for Men's Holistic Well-being
Taking a strategic approach to your mental health isn't solely about seeking professional support when needed; it can also be about building daily habits that foster resilience and nurture your overall well-being. To keep on the strategic ‘theme’, below are a list of suggestions, that may help you in your path forward:
Exercise: Movement is a powerful antidote to stress and low mood [19]. Whether it's a brisk walk, a gym session, cycling, or playing a sport, regular physical activity releases endorphins, improves sleep, and boosts cognitive function [19].
Outdoors: Spending time in nature has benefits for mental health improving cognitive function, reducing stress, and improving sleep [20].
Connection: While traditional masculine norms can sometimes discourage vulnerability, genuine connection is reported to improve mental health [21].
Breathing: You don't need to be an expert meditator to benefit from mindfulness. Simple breathing exercises have been shown to improve mode [22].
Hobbies: Reconnect with activities that bring you joy and a sense of purpose, these have been shown to impact longevity and healthy life expectancy [23].
Sleep: Sleep is foundational to both physical and mental health, and a recent study noted that the impacts of sleep quality are greater on mental health than physical health [24].
Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in whole foods can positively impact brain function and mood, and poor nutrition can have a negative impact on mood [25].
Exploring helpful routine changes can be a strategic way to proactively support your overall health. They are not substitutes for professional help when needed, but they are tools in your toolkit that should not be ignored. This holistic approach empowers men year-round, extending far beyond the dedicated week.
Beyond the Week: Your Continuous Resource for Men's Mental Health Support
Men's Health Week 2025 serves as a powerful catalyst, sparking vital conversations and raising awareness about men's mental well-being. However, the journey toward better mental health isn't confined to a single week; it's an ongoing commitment. The insights gained and the resolve built during this week are just the beginning.
Sustaining a proactive approach to mental health requires continuous access to reliable resources and support. This is where Men's Counselling Service steps in as your enduring partner in well-being. Our national directory isn't just a Men's Health Week initiative; it's a dedicated, year-round platform designed to ensure that finding the right mental health support for men across the UK is straightforward and effective.
We aim to be your first port of call, simplifying the search for qualified counsellors who understand the nuances of men's experiences. Whether you're seeking support for a long-standing issue, navigating a new challenge, or simply looking for ways to enhance your mental resilience, our directory is built to connect you with the right professional, at the right time.
