More Than Strong: Men, Mental Health, and the Emotional Silence

June marks Men's Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on a subject that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. While my primary focus is empowering women through nutrition, mindset, and movement, I can’t ignore the quiet crisis happening on the other side of the gender line.

Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and men—especially Black men—are fighting a battle that too often goes unseen.

Let’s be real: I’ve cracked jokes before. On The Single Chronicles podcast, I’ve playfully dragged the emotionally unavailable man. I have even been told that I bordered on bashing them. Nonetheless, my podcast was always a place of transparency and love. I’ve side-eyed the guy who “doesn’t do feelings.” Yet, I called out my fellow chicas too.

It's Time To Break The Silence

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on something deeper. That behavior I was calling out? Well I have always thought that might be a symptom of something much bigger—something systemic. We talk about The Male Loneliness Epidemic and while women do so from their point of view so much it means choosing a proverbial bear, there is more to this subject than what's on the surface.

This "epidemic" turns out spans beyond just intimate relationships. Turns out that men are suffering a decline in social circles too... much more than their female counterparts. According to a recent survey, from the Survey center on American Life: 28% of American men under the age of 30 reported having no close social connections.

But my other findings were even more profound... and frightening.

1. The Stats Don’t Lie—But Men Often Do (to Themselves)

• 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, yet far fewer receive treatment than women.

• Nearly 6 million men suffer from depression each year, many undiagnosed.

• Men die by suicide at nearly 4 times the rate of women (CDC).

• Alcohol-related deaths claim 62,000 men a year, compared to 26,000 women (National Library of Medicine).

  
  

These aren’t just statistics—they’re silent screams. The kind muffled by generational trauma, societal conditioning, and a toxic culture that tells men to be tough at all costs. Men are often reluctant to seek help for mental health issues due to societal expectations of strength and stoicism. Recognizing that it is okay to seek help is a crucial step in breaking this cycle. Men should know that vulnerability is not a weakness; rather, it is a sign of courage and self-awareness. The journey toward mental well-being is not meant to be faced alone, and reaching out for support can be a powerful act of strength. Not long ago, I did a fundraiser to raise awareness on suicide. We rarely think of what men go through. And most men, never feel as if they have a safe space. We hear too much of men losing silent battles because they fear becoming a burden... often times not allowing themselves the chance to be vulnerable.

I know that all too well myself.

2. Conditioning Starts Early—The Cage is Built in Childhood

From the moment boys can walk and talk, they hear it:

• "Stop crying."

• "Man up."

• "Don't be a girl."

  
  

And just like that, they’re told emotions are dangerous. Vulnerability is weakness. Sensitivity is shameful. Roughhousing is fine, but crying is not. Even boys who show effeminate traits or identify as LGBTQ+ are often shamed into silence from an early age.

This isn't about blaming parents or culture in isolation. It's about recognizing that the emotional suppression starts young, and by the time those boys become men, they’re wearing masks so tight they can’t breathe.

I’ve seen it in my own life. so many times... in my own family, in my friendships, in the men I’ve dated. They weren’t born emotionally unavailable—they were trained that way. Sadly they simply were never given the space to say, "I'm not okay." The damage shows up later as anger, addiction, avoidance, and emotional unavailability. We call them "toxic"—but maybe they were just never allowed to heal.

3. Can Pride & Men’s Mental Health Coexist? Absolutely.

June is also Pride Month, and I think it's time we acknowledge that these causes aren't competing—they're connected. There is a saying that, "Two things can be true at the same time." Meaning not all situations require an either/or choice, and that opposing concepts can coexist. For men in the LGBTQ+ community, mental health challenges can be amplified due to societal pressures, stigma, and discrimination related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A 2024 study done by the Canadian Men’s Health Report surveyed 2,070 men over the age of 19 and found that the risk of moderate-to-high depression in gay and bisexual men is 28%, which is significantly higher than in heterosexual men, whose risk is 18%

On a positive side, gay and bisexual men have reported seeing a vast improvement in their mental health when actively engaging within their community or sharing experiences through support groups.

Queer men and trans men face higher risks of mental health struggles, often layered with discrimination, rejection, and violence. For them, the silence around emotions is compounded by fear of being fully seen.

Men, regardless of orientation, deserve a safe space to feel. To cry. To heal.

4. A Podcast, A Pause, and a Promise

On an older episode of The Single Chronicles from two years ago: "Y'all Really Mad?", at the time, I was just venting like any single woman would. I expressed genuine concern for my fellow man. The post was inspired by and article from Psychology Today, which was ironically written by a man. However, the fact that this article sent some folks in a tizzy was the reason I discussed my thoughts on it.

Just listen beyond the title... I was onto something even back then with my witty sarcasm. And yeah, it was funny. But now? I listen to it with more context—and a whole lot more compassion.

Growth is being able to laugh and learn. That episode marked a moment, but it’s not where the story ends. I plan to do a follow-up episode exploring the intersections of masculinity, emotional health, and identity during Men’s Mental Health Awareness and Pride Month. Because these conversations matter.

Final Thoughts: It's Time to Let Men Feel

We can’t heal what we don’t name. As women, we are expected to be "emotional". But men are not awarded that luxury without scrutiny.

Men are struggling.

Some are suffering in silence. And many were never taught how to ask for help. We have to stop expecting them to be made of steel when all humans are flesh and feeling. As women, we have to be patient and have understanding. While, I am not saying we need to disrupt our peace... just remember that "hurt people hurt people"! Some fold would rather cling to their trauma with other hurt individuals or project that trauma than to be accountable

So this June, let’s break the silence. Let’s check in on our brothers, our friends, our fathers, and our sons. Let’s create space—not just for strength, but for softness.

Because being a man should never mean being emotionally alone.

Listen to The Single Chronicles Podcast, share this post, and let’s keep talking—out loud and without shame.

Disclaimer:

The tips provided in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis before starting any new exercise or nutrition program, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or injuries.