Why Mental Health Awareness Week Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Three out of four suicides in the UK are male [1], and men are three times more likely to be dependent on
substances [2], yet they make up a minority when it comes to accessing mental health services. It’s a
statistic that’s difficult to read, but it speaks to something we can’t ignore: men across the UK are
struggling with their mental health, and often in silence.
That’s why Mental Health Awareness Week (12th - 19th May 2025 [3]) remains such a vital moment. It
gives us the space, and the responsibility, to ask what we’re really doing to support men’s wellbeing.
What is community in the context of men’s mental health?
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is community. In the context of male mental health, it
couldn’t be more relevant. For much of human history, men have found their identity, purpose, and
resilience through shared roles in tribes, teams, and tight-knit groups. That connection can provide an
important outlet when it comes to mental health through spaces to talk, reflect, and be seen. For men,
community is often a place where strength and vulnerability meet, and where the road to engagement
with mental health can often begin.
Community, when it comes to men’s mental health, doesn’t just mean a group chat or a weekly five-a-
side. It means having people around you who make you feel seen, heard, and safe without judgement.
It’s a space, physical or emotional, where men can speak openly, show up honestly, and know they’re
not alone.
So, where can men find community today?
For some, it’s in group therapy, talking circles, or online forums. For others, it might be a trusted friendship, a workplace culture that takes mental health seriously, or a shared activity that opens the door to real conversation. Community doesn’t have to be big to have a positive impact on men’s mental health, it just has to be real.
How can a community give men the space to speak?
Men are less likely to seek help, with just 36% of NHS talking therapy referrals being male [4]. Community — whether a peer group, trusted friend, or therapist — can be the first space where they feel able to speak. This can offer something simple but powerful: a space to speak without judgement. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to break the silence.
Can community challenge men’s stigmas around seeking mental health support?
For years, many men have been reluctant to seek help for their mental health. But, when they see others opening up and staying strong, it may reframe seeking help and breaks down 'outdated' notions of masculinity. Community can play a vital role in reducing stigma; it shows men they’re not alone, and that emotional honesty is brave. With 12.5% of men in England living with a mental health condition [5], creating space for openness isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.
Does belonging help men stay resilient?
Even small forms of connection — a group text, a gym friend or a space where men can feel seen and heard — can have a big positive impact on men. When men feel like they belong, they are often less closed off. This matters, for example suicide is still the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK [6], and isolation often plays a devastating role. Community can help men hold the weight, and find ways through challenging times.
Are we still falling short with men’s mental health?
We’ve made progress in how we talk about mental health. But when it comes to men, there is an argument that the conversation stops at awareness, and not at access or clear pathways. Yes, community matters. But it may not be a cure-all, and some men may feel like they still can't find a safe, judgment-free spaces where they can be open. Men may feel like they lack somewhere to break the quiet build-up, to voice stresses or express the sadness. A place where men can reframe the negative internal voice, or perceptions of themselves.
Meanwhile, the cost of silence is steep.
Feelings may be buried, if men cannot access a space to open up authentically, be vulnerable (courageous), or be fully heard when they speak. Some of the recent mental health statistics for men in the UK are distressing. Men are nearly three times as likely as women to become dependent on alcohol, and more likely to engage in risk behaviours that mask distress [4]. Among younger men, the situation is equally troubling: one in ten aged 16 to 24 report having self-harmed [5].
And it’s not just health that suffers. The economic impact is real, too. People with mental health
problems earn on average thousands of pounds less per year than those without [7], which can be a penalty for people who might already be struggling to access the right support.
Even when men know something’s wrong, many still don’t know where to turn, or assume they have no
option other than to cope on their own. That gap between recognition and action is where so many men might fall through, and it’s where services like Men's Counselling Service aim to meet them.
How can we build something that lasts?
At Men’s Counselling Service, we’re trying to break down the barriers preventing men from accessing therapy in the UK. We connect men with qualified therapists who understand the unique pressures men face, and how those pressures are too often buried, masked, or misunderstood.
Are you a therapist looking to improve men’s mental health? We’re building a community of therapists
who are committed to helping men thrive and not just survive. If you're passionate about this work,
we’d love to hear from you.
Are you an organisation or employer looking for someone to partner with to improve men’s mental
health? We also support organisations looking to create healthier and more supportive environments for men. Whether you’re a business leader or HR professional, we can provide a clear pathway, educational resources, and help build cultures where men feel able to speak, reflect, and seek support early. Contact us today.
Are you a man curious about the benefits of therapy, or discovering therapists in your area? If you're reading this because you're not sure where to turn, know that you're not alone. Men's Counselling Service offers a directory of trusted, professional counsellors ready to help. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, flat, or just not quite yourself, therapy can help bring clarity and a way forward.
We’re proud to be part of a broader community working to improve men's mental health across the UK. But more than that, we're here to help men live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives by normalising the process of accessing support.
In 2025, let's move the conversation on. Let’s help more men speak out, and be heard.