Male Suicide: A Silent Epidemic by James Cunningham
Male suicide has emerged as one of the most critical yet under-discussed public health crises globally. In numerous countries, suicide ranks as the biggest killer of men under 50. Despite its devastating impact, male suicide often receives insufficient attention, and systemic barriers prevent men from accessing the support they need. The effects of this neglect not only impact adult men but also extend to young boys, shaping their perceptions of themselves and the world around them.
The statistics surrounding male suicide are alarming. Globally, men account for around three to four times more suicides than women. In high-income countries, this gender disparity is especially pronounced, with men representing nearly 80% of all suicide deaths despite comprising roughly half the population
CDC
These figures suggest that many men are struggling with issues such as mental health disorders, social isolation, and economic stressors, but are unable or unwilling to seek help.
Lack of Support for Men
One of the key contributors to the male suicide crisis is the lack of tailored mental health support for men. Traditional mental health services often fail to account for the specific challenges men face, such as cultural norms around masculinity, which can discourage them from expressing vulnerability or asking for help. Moreover, societal expectations often stigmatize emotional expression in men, leading them to suffer in silence. This is compounded by a shortage of male-friendly mental health campaigns and interventions that address these unique pressures.
While there have been initiatives to raise awareness, including Men’s Mental Health Month, these efforts are frequently overlooked or overshadowed by other causes. For instance, in Jersey, last year’s Men’s Mental Health Month received no significant media coverage. Instead, it was effectively sidelined by a campaign centered around The Violence Against Women and Girls. While addressing violence against women is undoubtedly important, the focus during a month dedicated to men’s mental health seemed disproportionate and one-sided. The campaign was criticized for being anti-male and included incorrect information that fuelled misconceptions rather than encouraging constructive dialogue, words such as Toxic Masculinity & Misogynistic are not helpful. This imbalance in coverage can deepen the sense of neglect many men feel when trying to raise awareness of their own issues.
Impact on Boys: Growing Up Feeling Unvalued
This lack of attention and support for men’s issues does not only affect adult men; it has a profound impact on young boys, shaping their development and mental health. Boys growing up in a society that undervalues their struggles may come to feel as though their emotions are not important or valid. From a young age, boys are often exposed to societal narratives that stigmatize male vulnerability and portray traditional masculinity as inherently toxic. In extreme cases, young boys may internalize the message that their feelings are unworthy of support, leading to emotional suppression and unhealthy coping mechanisms later in life, which can lead to future uncontrolled aggression.
When media and public discourse consistently overlook men’s struggles, young boys can grow up feeling that the system is stacked against them, that their suffering is less important, or even that they are hated or vilified simply for being male. This pervasive sense of devaluation may lead to increased feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety in boys, setting the stage for long-term mental health struggles. Without proper role models, support systems, or public discussions that include positive male emotional expression, boys can find it difficult to navigate their own mental health issues.
Media’s Role and Misrepresentation of Men’s Issues
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, but coverage of male mental health issues remains limited. When men’s issues are reported, it often centers on problematic stereotypes, reinforcing negative images of masculinity without addressing the underlying causes of their struggles. The focus tends to shift away from men’s vulnerabilities, and in cases such as the campaign in Jersey, men’s experiences and voices were overshadowed by other issues, contributing to a narrative that marginalizes male perspectives.
For young boys, growing up in an environment where male issues are either demonized or dismissed can exacerbate feelings of worthlessness. The impact of such media narratives is profound: it sends a message that men’s mental health struggles, including those of boys, are not as important as other societal concerns. This erasure of male emotional complexity can make boys reluctant to seek help and ultimately contribute to the growing mental health crisis among men.
Addressing the Crisis: A Call for Inclusive Action
The current environment calls for more inclusive, balanced media coverage and public health campaigns that properly address the male suicide crisis. We need to foster spaces where men—and boys—feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgment. Governments, healthcare providers, educators, and the media should work together to ensure that men’s and boys’ mental health is treated with the urgency and care it deserves.
Creating a Supportive Future for Boys
Addressing this issue at its root means reaching boys at a young age, helping them to understand that it’s okay to feel vulnerable and to ask for help. Schools and parents should encourage emotional literacy in boys, ensuring they know how to express their emotions healthily and seek support when needed. Public health campaigns and educational programs must actively counter the harmful narratives that paint male emotions as weak or undeserving of attention.
Ultimately, it is crucial to challenge harmful gender norms, provide better mental health services, and ensure fair media representation for men’s mental health issues. By doing so, we can reduce the stigma, build resilience in boys, and help prevent future mental health crises. Without these efforts, we risk allowing the silent epidemic of male suicide—and the impact it has on future generations of men and boys—to continue unchecked.
By recognizing that men and boys are disproportionately affected by mental health struggles, and by offering unbiased and supportive environments, we can take meaningful steps toward reducing this tragic loss of life.
Contributors to Male Suicide
The top issues contributing to male suicide are complex and often interrelated. Based on recent studies, here are five key factors:
Relationship and Family Separation Issues: One of the leading causes of male suicide is linked to relationship breakdowns, including family separation, especially when fathers lose contact with their children. This is a significant issue for many men, leading to feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
British Psychological Society
Fatherless Children: According to a study published in the journal Psychological Medicine, children who experience the absence of a father are at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts. The study noted that father absence can lead to feelings of abandonment, low self-esteem, and increased risk for depression.
Longitudinal studies have shown that boys who grow up without fathers are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural difficulties that persist into adolescence and adulthood. These challenges can increase the risk of suicidal behaviour.
Mental Health Stigma: Men are less likely to seek help for depression or anxiety, often due to societal expectations around masculinity. This reluctance to admit vulnerability contributes to untreated mental health issues, which can escalate to suicide.
HealthCity
Social Isolation: Men are more likely to experience social isolation, and fewer men report having a strong network of friends compared to women. Loneliness is a major contributing factor in male suicide.
HealthCity
Financial Pressures: Financial stress, including job loss, debt, or inability to provide for one’s family, can be a significant risk factor. Men may feel an intense pressure to succeed financially, which can exacerbate feelings of failure or inadequacy when these expectations aren’t met.
British Psychological Society
Substance Abuse: Men are more likely to turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism for underlying depression or stress. Unfortunately, this can create a vicious cycle that increases the risk of suicidal behaviour.
HealthCity
British Psychological Society
These factors highlight the need for better support systems and open conversations about mental health among men.
Male Privilege: Defined as Special Rights, Advantages, and Immunities”
Men and Warfare: Historically, men have been overwhelmingly conscripted and sent to war, where they face extreme violence and death. Even today, men continue to be the primary gender required to register for the draft in many countries, including the United States (Selective Service System).
Fact: In World War I, nearly 10 million military personnel (the vast majority being men) were killed. Male conscription still exists in several nations, creating a gendered burden of combat.
Family Courts and Custody: In family court cases, women are more likely to be awarded custody of children, leaving many fathers struggling to maintain relationships with their children.
Fact: Mothers receive primary custody in about 80% of cases. The presumption of maternal preference often results in fathers being sidelined, even when they are equally capable of caregiving.
Child Support and Maintenance Laws: Fathers often face disproportionately harsh financial obligations in child support and alimony arrangements. These laws can be rigid, regardless of the father’s financial situation or whether he is equally involved in the child’s life.
Fact: 85% of those ordered to pay child support are men. Failure to pay, even under financial hardship, can lead to penalties like wage garnishment or imprisonment.
Domestic Violence Laws: While domestic abuse is often framed as a women’s issue, men are also victims. However, domestic violence laws and support services are frequently skewed toward women, leaving male victims underrepresented and without adequate resources.
Fact: Research shows that 1 in 3 domestic abuse victims are men. Despite this, there are fewer shelters (zero for fathers), legal protections, and support networks available to men compared to women.
Workplace Deaths and Dangerous Jobs: Men are disproportionately represented in dangerous, physically demanding jobs like construction, mining, and firefighting, where workplace fatalities are far higher.
Fact: In 2022, men made up over 90% of workplace deaths. These statistics highlight how men are more likely to take on high-risk roles, often without acknowledgment of the sacrifice involved.
Education Disparities: Men are falling behind in education. Women now earn the majority of college degrees, and boys are more likely to be diagnosed with behavioural issues or drop out of school.
Fact: Women account for about 60% of college graduates. Men are also more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, face disciplinary action, and underperform academically.
Mental Health and Suicide: Men face significant challenges in mental health, often compounded by societal expectations of emotional stoicism. Men are far less likely to seek help for mental health issues and are disproportionately represented in suicide statistics.
Fact: Men die by suicide nearly four times more often than women. Social stigma around men expressing vulnerability and a lack of targeted mental health services contribute to this crisis.
Criminal Sentencing Disparities: Men often face harsher penalties in the criminal justice system compared to women, even when convicted of the same crime.
Fact: Studies have found that men receive sentences that are on average 63% longer than women for the same offenses. Additionally, men are more likely to be incarcerated for non-violent crimes.
These examples demonstrate that in many areas, men face significant disadvantages and systemic bias, challenging the idea that all men inherently benefit from “male privilege.” Social, legal, and cultural systems often overlook the struggles men face in these contexts, reinforcing the need for a more balanced understanding of gender inequality.
Support & Solutions
Supporting men’s mental health requires a comprehensive, inclusive approach that addresses societal, cultural, and policy-related challenges. Men’s mental health has historically been overshadowed by stigmas, a lack of targeted policies, and systemic biases that limit men’s rights, family involvement, and support during crises. To create a healthier, more balanced society, we need to address these barriers head-on. Below are solutions, grounded in evidence, that can help foster better mental health outcomes for men while creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for both genders.
Combat the Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health
Normalizing emotional expression: Cultural norms around masculinity often discourage men from showing vulnerability, seeking help, or discussing their emotions. Campaigns and public health initiatives should aim to normalize emotional expression in men, reinforcing that it is not only okay but necessary to ask for help. Encouraging men to share their experiences can reduce feelings of isolation and stigma.
Engage influencers and role models: Using male role models, celebrities, and sports figures who openly discuss their mental health struggles can break down the stigma. Studies show that peer support and seeing relatable figures open up about their struggles can encourage men to seek help sooner.
Inclusive Policies for Men’s Mental Health
Mental health policies need to be more inclusive, focusing on men’s specific challenges such as depression, social isolation, and suicide prevention. Countries like Australia and the UK have developed men’s mental health strategies, which include tailored interventions for men and boys that focus on early intervention, community support, and addressing male-specific risk factors.
Workplace mental health initiatives should provide male-friendly counselling services and mental health programs that emphasize confidentiality and practical support, helping men balance job pressures with mental well-being.
Addressing Men’s Rights and Family Life
Equal parenting: If both parents are capable, fathers should have equal time with their children post-divorce or separation. Evidence suggests that fathers who are actively involved in their children’s lives tend to have better mental health and reduced rates of depression. Furthermore, children benefit from strong father-child relationships, showing better emotional and psychological outcomes.
Shared custody policies that prioritize joint parenting not only reduce conflicts between separated parents but also lower stress and feelings of marginalization in fathers. Research shows that men who are involved in their children’s lives are less likely to engage in self-destructive behaviours, including violence.
Non-Gender Specific Policies in Domestic Abuse Cases
Domestic abuse policies must be non-gender specific to account for the fact that men can also be victims of abuse. According to studies, 1 in 3 victims of domestic violence are men, but they are often less likely to seek help due to stigma and societal perceptions. Creating a supportive environment where men can safely report abuse will lead to better mental health outcomes for male victims.
Domestic abuse shelters and support programs should be available and tailored for men, offering counselling and legal support, and recognizing that the impact of abuse on men can be just as profound as it is on women.
Support for Boys and Education Systems
Boys’ mental health in schools should be given the same attention as girls. Schools should implement mental health programs that focus on emotional intelligence, coping mechanisms, and resilience for both boys and girls. The gender gap in education—where boys are falling behind in academic performance in many countries—also impacts their mental health and long-term prospects. Encouraging boys to excel in school and providing mentorship programs can build self-esteem and reduce anxiety and depression.
Healthy relationship education should be taught to both genders, focusing on respect, empathy, and communication. Programs that teach boys and girls about emotional intelligence and conflict resolution can help develop healthy adult relationships, reducing the risk of future mental health issues.
Healthy Relationships and Mental Health for Both Genders
Healthy relationship advice is not only important for men but for both genders. Men and women need to be supported in learning how to foster positive, respectful relationships. By emphasizing mutual respect and empathy in relationships, mental health outcomes improve for both parties, which can reduce instances of domestic conflict, isolation, and emotional distress.
Relationship counselling and support should be readily available and encouraged for all couples, offering tools to navigate conflicts without escalation, which can have long-term benefits on mental health.
Men’s Rights in Family and Legal Systems
Men’s experiences in the family court system are often fraught with bias, where they are more likely to be seen as secondary caregivers. This has a direct impact on men’s mental health, as the lack of involvement in their children’s lives can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Family law reform that ensures fair treatment and prioritizes the best interests of the child—through equal time and shared parenting—can have positive mental health benefits for fathers.
Legal systems must recognize that men are also victims of unfair treatment in custody disputes and domestic abuse cases. Implementing training for legal professionals on gender biases can ensure fairer outcomes for men and women alike.
More Campaigns Around Men’s Mental Health
Increased campaigns focusing on men’s mental health are crucial in raising awareness, addressing stigma, and promoting available resources. While progress has been made with campaigns like Movember, which focuses on men’s mental health and suicide prevention, more year-round initiatives are needed to keep men’s mental health in the spotlight.
Community-based programs that connect men with others who share similar struggles can reduce isolation. Research shows that peer support programs and group therapy are highly effective in encouraging men to open up and seek help.
Lowering Conflict and Reducing Male Violence
Men are statistically more likely to engage in violence when they feel powerless or disconnected from society. Ensuring that men have strong family ties, especially with their children, provides them with a sense of purpose and belonging. Studies have shown that men who are involved in positive family dynamics and have strong personal connections are significantly less likely to engage in violent or self-destructive behaviours.
Mentorship and community-building for men can also help reduce feelings of isolation and frustration, leading to better conflict resolution skills and healthier emotional expression.
Encouraging Men to Have Something to Live For
A key factor in reducing male suicide and violent behaviours is ensuring men feel they have something to live for—whether it’s their family, career, or personal growth. Men with strong support networks, fulfilling careers, and active roles in their families are less likely to experience severe mental health issues.
Encouraging men to engage in purpose-driven activities, whether through volunteerism, hobbies, or personal development, fosters a sense of accomplishment and connection that is vital for mental health.
A Balanced Approach for Men’s Well-Being
Supporting men’s mental health requires a broad, evidence-based approach that includes combating stigma, reforming policies, and ensuring men are given the rights and resources necessary to live fulfilling lives. By making mental health services more accessible and creating fairer systems around family and legal issues, society can reduce the mental health crisis facing men today. Moreover, encouraging healthy relationships, emotional literacy in boys, and fostering connection within communities will contribute to better mental health outcomes for both men and women.
A holistic approach—rooted in inclusive policies and supportive environments—can help men feel valued and lead healthier, more connected lives.
A Call for Change
Since beginning my work supporting men in 2020, I’ve observed significant gaps in services that should address men’s well-being but often fall short. The lack of support for men, especially those from working-class backgrounds, has been both frustrating and deeply hurtful to witness. Men, in many areas of life, are often treated as dispensable, whether in their personal relationships, workplaces, or society at large. This perception can be especially damaging for men who may already feel marginalized, and it highlights a broader societal indifference toward men’s well-being.
Lack of Support and Care for Men’s Well-Being
The mental health services and support networks currently in place often fail to recognize the unique struggles men face. Many men do not feel welcome or understood in traditional support services. In part, this is due to societal stigmas that discourage men from acknowledging their emotional or psychological pain. In fact, when men express their struggles, they are often met with indifference or disbelief. This reality is particularly harsh for working-class men, who are often seen as needing to be “strong” and resilient no matter their circumstances. It seems as though society expects them to endure their suffering without complaint.
Furthermore, the systems in place, whether legal, social, or mental health services, often do not address men’s specific needs. For example, when men are victims of domestic abuse, their cases are frequently downplayed or ignored. Similarly, in family law, men often feel they are treated unfairly, especially when it comes to child custody and divorce. These experiences reinforce the message that men’s struggles don’t matter or that they aren’t worthy of the same support that women and children might receive.
Men as “Dispensable”
One of the most troubling realizations is the way men are frequently seen as dispensable, particularly in working-class settings. Men in physically demanding, dangerous jobs are often overworked and underappreciated, yet when they experience injury, burnout, or worse, there is little recognition of the toll it takes on their mental and physical health. The prevailing attitude seems to be that men, particularly those in manual labour, are replaceable, which only deepens their sense of alienation and worthlessness.
This attitude also seeps into wider cultural narratives. Men, especially young men and boys, are growing up in a world that often tells them they must prove their worth through sacrifice or stoicism. When they fail to live up to these expectations, they are labelled as weak or unmanly, further marginalizing their voices. In this context, it’s not surprising that many men struggle to see their own value. They’ve been conditioned to believe that their worth is tied to their utility, rather than their inherent human dignity.
Public Abuse and Ignored Pain
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this reality is how public abuse against men is not only ignored but, in some cases, encouraged. Whether it’s jokes about men’s emotions, the dismissal of their struggles, or outright misandry, men are often left to deal with their pain in isolation. This is particularly true in the media, where negative stereotypes about men—particularly working-class men—are perpetuated and rarely challenged. Men themselves sometimes internalize these stereotypes, becoming their own harshest critics. They don’t seek help because they don’t believe they deserve it, or worse, they’ve been told their problems don’t matter.
Even in the face of trauma, hardship, or abuse, many men fail to reach out for support because they’ve been socially conditioned to endure silently. They have been taught, directly or indirectly, that their pain is secondary. This cultural narrative is damaging and dehumanizing. It ignores the real pain men face, whether it’s from mental health issues, workplace injuries, family breakdowns, or social isolation.
The Invisible Struggles of Men
One of the most painful truths I’ve come to understand is how invisible men’s struggles can be. Whether it’s emotional abuse, the burden of providing for a family under extreme pressure, or enduring toxic work environments, the suffering men face is too often minimized or dismissed. Even when men advocate for themselves, they are often met with scepticism or even hostility, as if their experiences are less legitimate than those of others. This is particularly true in cases of domestic abuse, where male victims are frequently ridiculed or disbelieved.
There is a dangerous narrative in society that equates masculinity with invulnerability. This false equation leaves many men feeling isolated in their pain, unable to seek help, and ashamed to admit their struggles. As a result, men’s mental health deteriorates in silence, culminating in the alarming rates of male suicide, particularly among working-class men.
Solutions: Men Need to Recognize Their Value
Addressing these issues starts with recognizing the inherent value of men. Society needs to shift away from seeing men as disposable or defined solely by their productivity. Men, like everyone else, deserve compassion, support, and care. Public services, media, and education need to acknowledge and validate men’s struggles without diminishing them or pitting them against the struggles of others.
Men themselves also need to be empowered to understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Men’s mental health campaigns must do more to break the stigma that discourages men from talking about their mental health. Programs that specifically target working-class men, focusing on mental health in the workplace and family support services, could be a crucial first step.
Additionally, there needs to be greater legal protection for men, particularly in domestic abuse cases and family law, ensuring that their rights and voices are heard and respected. More inclusive policies that prioritize equal parenting and recognize men as capable caregivers will not only improve the mental health of fathers but also benefit their children, reducing conflict and creating more harmonious family environments.
The reality for many men is that they are struggling in silence, often believing their pain does not matter, or that they are somehow responsible for their suffering even when they are not. This is not only unfair but deeply damaging to the fabric of society. Addressing these issues requires a cultural shift—one that sees men as valuable, deserving of care, and capable of emotional depth.
By creating a society that listens to and supports men, especially working-class men, we can foster healthier families, workplaces, and communities. Men are not disposable, and it’s time society recognizes that their well-being is essential to the well-being of everyone.
James Cunningham
October 19th 2024
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